
()Op)Tig]lt}J° 



mim LiND m people. 



FRANCES LETCHER MITCHELL. 



— "Which kind of men know not (beIvIke) that the 

NATURE OF AN HISTORIE (DEFINED TO BE, REI VERE GEST^ MEM- 
ORIA ) W'lhh NOT BEARE THE BURTHEN OR LODE OF A LIE, SITH THE 
SAME IS TOO HEAVIE. — Holinslu'd. 






'- ^ 






The Franklin Printing and Publishing Co. 
Atlanta, Georgia. 



THE LIBRARY OF 

CONGRESS. 
Two Copies Received 

OCT. 25 t901 

Copyright entry 

CLASS Ct-XXc. No. 

COPY B. 



Entered aeeordiiig to Act of Congress, in the year liioo, 

By Miss FRANCES L. MITCHELL, 

III the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. D. C. 



TO THE MEMORY 

OF MY HONORED AND MUCH I,OVED FATHER, 

XimiUiam Xetcber /IDitcbell, 

MY HEART TENDERLY DEDICATES THIS VOLUME. 



The author is deeply indebted to Colonel 0. C. Jones, Jr., for per- 
mission to use from the Colonial and Eevolutionary Periods of 
his "History of Georgia" and from his " Confederate Addresses," 
any facts desired. There is no higher authority on Georgia his- 
tory than Colonel Jones. His statements are absolutely true. 
The author has felt it a sacred duty when she did not have him 
for a guide, to assert nothing without good evidence — most of her 
data being obtained from living witnesses. 

Colonel Jones' recent death has filled our State with mourning, 
and literature has sustained an irreparable loss. His courteous 
interest and quick sympathy were an inspiration to the author in 
the preparation of this volume, and she takes this opportunity to 
lay her humble offering upon the tomb of her father's friend, who 
was as distinguished for patriotism and courage as for the elo- 
quent and scholarly pen with which he recorded the history of his 
beloved State. 

Athens, Georgia, Xorember, 1S93. 



CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTIOxM. 

Creeks and Cherokees. Hernando De Soto. The meaning 
of Indian names. The Legend of Nacoochee. How the 
Cherokee rose received its name 1-12 

CHAPTER I. 

COLONIAL PERIOD. 
James Oglethorpe. Adventures and romance connected with 
the western continent. George I. The Margravate of 
Azilia. Georgia a doubtful borderland. The mission of 
Sir Alex. Gumming. George II. makes a grant of land. 
A new colony, the refuge for Protestants. James Ogle- 
thorpe, first governor of Georgia. The Anne. Yamacraw 
bluff. Mary Musgrove. The settlement of Savannah. 
Col. William Bull. Tomo-chi-chi. Indians respect Ogle- 
thoi-pe. The Salzburgers. Darien settled. Augusta set- 
tled. Fort William. Fort St. George. Frederica settled. 
Oglethorpe carries a party of Indians to England. They 
produce a sensation in London. Oglethorpe returns. John 
Wesley. The first Sunday-school in the world. Kev. 
George Whitfield. Bethesda. The mistakes of the Trus- 
tees. The first prohibition State. Negro slavery forbid- 
den. Military service for laud. Trustees change their 
policy. The colony begins to prosper. Raw silk, indigo, 
cotton 13-26 

CHAPTER II. 

COLONIAL PERIOD. 
England's claim to territory of Georgia. Spain's claim. Mu- 
tual grievances. Oglethorpe goes to England for troops. 



CONTENTS. 

He becomes Comniauder-iu-c-liief. Eiiglaud declares war 
against Spain. A conference of Indian cliiefs at Coweta. 
Ogletliorpe invades Florida. Unsuccessful siege of St. 
Angnstine. The Spaniards invade Georgia. Tlie battle 
of Bloody MarsU. The Spaniards retreat. Oglethorpe 
congratulated by six Governors. His extraordinary 
march. Peace between England and Spain. Oglethorpe 
leaves Georgia to reside permanently in England 27-34 

CHAPTER III. 

COLONIAL FERIOD. 

Oglethorpe's successor, William Stephens. Jelvyl island set- 
tled. Trouble with :Mary Musgrovo and the Creeks. The 
money used in Georgia. Trustees surrender their charter. 
Georgia a royal province. Capt. Reynolds, first royal 
governor. Hardwick settled. Four hundred Catholics 
entertained at public expense. Gov. Henry Ellis. Mid- 
way District and Sunbury settled. Georgia's territory 
more clearly defined. Convention of Indians at Augusta. 
Gov. AVright. Twelve parishes. Head-rights. Exports. 
Tobacco cultivated. The first ncAvspaper. Death of 
Geo^i-ge II. George III. proclaimed King in Georgia 35-42 

CHAPTER IV. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 
Taxation without representation. Liberty Boys. Powder 
magazine in Savannah seized. Nol)le Wimberly .lones. 
Cannon spiked. The Liberty Pole. A Congress in Savan- 
nah. Archibald Bulloch. Georgia schooner captures Eng- 
lish ship loaded with powder. Gov. Wright imprisoned. 
Kingly rule in Georgia ends. Three Georgians sign 
Declaration of Independence. How the news was re- 
ceived in Savannali. The Ivhig is l>uried in efligy. 
Death of Gov. Bulloch. Salzburgers denounce tyranny. 
Georgia's generosity 43-o0 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 
British troops overrun Georgia. They entice Indians with 
costly gifts. AA'higs and Tories. Georgia frames a con- 
stitution. Fort Mcintosh captured. Gov. Button Gwin- 
nett. A duel. Col. Samuel Elbert. Paper money depre- 
ciated. Tlie British invade Georgia from Florida. Bat- 
tles at Bulltown Swamp and North Newport. Col. 
Scriven killed. Ogeeohee Feri-y. Midway Church 
burned. Cruelty of the British .j1-3S 

CHAPTER VI. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 
Battle at Sunbury. Four armies threaten Georgia. Savan- 
nah is captured. The Hebrews in Georgia. Gen. Pre- 
vost captures Sunbury. Skirmish at Burke Jail. Augusta 
is captured. Skirmishes at Carr's Fort, Cherokee Ford 
and Long Cane. Battle of Kettle Creek. Fort Heard. 
Stephen Heard 59-70 

CHAPTER VII. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 
Col. Elijah Clarke. Col Twiggs surprises a British outpost. 
Battle of Brier Creek. Gen. Lincoln. Col. Francis Har- 
ris. Threatening attitude of the Indians. British prison- 
ships. Cols. Dooly and Clarke watch the frontier. Bat- 
tles at Mr, Butler's plantation, and Sunbury. Robert Sal- 
lette. Battle of Buckhead Creek 71-79 

CHAPTER VIII. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 
Sir James Wright back in Georgia. The honesty and patriot- 
ism of the Executive Council. Gen. Lachlan Mcintosh 
returns. The French alliance. Count D'Estaing. Count 
Pulaski. The patriots try to retake Savannah. Wall's Cut. 
The origin of Thunderbolt. The siege of Savannah. Col. 
White captures a British company. The patriots bombard 
Savannah 80-8& 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IX. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 
The patriots try to carry Savannah by assault. A deserter 
betrays their plans. Count D'Estaing wounded. The as- 
sault on Spring Hill redoubt. Sergeant Jasper's Death. 
Count Fulask) mortally wounded. The patriots ask a 
truce to bury their dead. Jasper's "colors." Jasper's 
Spring. Sergeant John Newton. Capt Thomas Glascock. 
Lieut. Edward Lloyd. Maj. John Jones. La Perouse. 
The patriots raise the siege. Georgia's generosity to her 
French ally. Death of British officer, Col. Maitland 90-98 

CHAPTER X. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 
Dark days. Cruelty of the British. Daniel Marshall. Abra- 
ham Marshall. "A Georgia parole." Paper money depre- 
ciating. The spinning-wheel and the loom. Wilkes county. 
Silver-heels. Children ford the Savannah river. Patrick 
Carr. Nancy Hart. Sir James Wright convenes a Legis- 
lature. Georgians denounced as traitors. Weakness of 
the patriots. Georgians fighting in other colonies. Geor- 
gia sends representatives to Continental Congress 99-110 

CHAPTER XL 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

Gen. Lachlan Mcintosh prisoner of war. Col. Browne, the 
Tory. He captures Augusta. Small bands of cavalry 
harass the British. Col. John Jones of Burke county. 
The smallpox among the soldiers. Col. Clarke's unsuc- 
cessful attempt to take Augusta. The vindictiveness of 
Col. Browne, the Tory. Two boys are hanged. Four hun- 
dred women and children with Col. Clarke's small band 
of soldiers. They seek refuge in North Carolina. Re- 
ceive a hearty welcome. Patriotism of Georgians tried. 
Gen. Nathaniel Greene. "Lighthorse Harry." Maj. Jack- 
son captures a British officer. Maj. Jackson raises a 
Legion for service in his State. The desolation in upper 
Georgia 111-120 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XII. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. \ 
The gloom begins to brighteu. With Gen. Greene's assist- 
ance, the patriots plan to capture Augusta. Col. Wil- 
liamson commands the Whigs. They invest Augusta. 
Encounter with Tories at Walker's Bridge. Col. Clarke's 
horses recaptured from the Tories. The patriots capture 
the royal presents for the Indians. They capture Fort 
Grierson. A spy in the camp of "Lighthorse Harry." 
The Mayham tower. An assault upon Augusta planned. 
The British surrender. The importance of Augusta. Ste- 
phen Heard a prisoner 121-130 

CHAPTER XIIL 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 
The Whigs control upper Georgia. They endeavor to re- 
cover middle and southern Georgia. Unsuccessful skir- 
mish at Ogeechee Ferry. The Creeks and Cherokees give 
trouble. The patriots hear of Lord Cornwallis's surrender. 
War virtually ended. Mad Anthony Wayne. Conciliatory 
policy towards the Tories. Gen. Wayne's battle with Gu- 
ris-ter-sigo. Privateers. Sugar and salt. The poverty of 
Georgia people. Sir James Wright evacuates Savannah. 
Col. James Jackson receives the Iceys of the city. Legis- 
lature meets in Savannah. Final treaty of peace with 
Great Britain 131-138 

CHAPTER XIV. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
1783-1799. 
The condition of Georgia after the war. Georgia adopts Fed- 
eral constitution. Georgia prohibits New England mer- 
chants M'om carrying on tlie Slave trade within her bound- 
aries. Hebrew congregation send letter to Pres. Wash- 
ington. Oglethorpe pays his respects to Mr. Adams, U. S. 
Minister to Great Britain. Legislature's gift to Gens. 
Jackson and Greene. Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin. 



CONTENTS. 

Indian forays. The capital moved to Louisville. Com- 
mou seliools. State University. Pres. Washington visits 
Georgia. The Washington guns 139-145 

CHAPTER XV. 

A SOYEKEIGN STATE. 

1783-1709. 
The Yazoo fraud. Gov. Matthews. He goes to Philadelphia 
to chastise the President. Disgraceful transactions con- 
nected with the Yazoo Act. Yazoo men and Anti-Yazoo 
men. The documents pertaining to the Y'azoo Act are 
burned. Judge Taliaferro. Virginians emigrate to Geor^ 
gia. The pioneers of upper and middle Georgia. The 
first Methodist church in Georgia. The influence of per- 
sonal courage. How the people of upper Georgia lived.. 14G-114 

CHAPTER XVI. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
ISOO-ISIO. 
James Jackson, Governor. Josiah Tattnall, Governor. Geor- 
gia cedes a large territory to the Federal Government. 
"The Daughters of Georgia." A woman editor. Death of 
James Jackson. Capital moved to Milledgeville. Mr. 
Meigs, first President of the University. Creeks and 
Cherokees become object of national interest. William 
Harris Crawford. Rivalry between Crawford and Clarke. 
Thomas W. Cobb. Judge Dooly. A party of Cherokees 
go West to select a new home 15.5-1()2 

CHAPTER XVII. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

1S10-1S20. 
Georgia's gain in population and weath. An Indian "talk" 
with Gov. Mitchell. The Indian chief, William Mcintosh. 
Col. Benjamin HaAvkins. War spirit in Georgia. War of 
1812. Georgia supports the Federal Government. Fear 
that Savannah Avill be attacked. Georgia's Senator, 



CONTENTS. 

W. H. Ci-awforcl, becomes Vice-President. Tlie hostile at- 
titude of tlie Seminoles. Gov. Peter Early. Georgia loans 
money to Federal Government. The Creek war. The 
massacre at Fort Minis. Gen. John Floyd. The Chief, 
Mcintosh, aids Georgia. Ho-poth-le-yo-holo, Georgia's 
bitter enemy. The battle of Autossee. Gen. Floyd 
wounded. David Blackshear takes his place. W. H. 
Crawford, Minister to France. Napoleon compliments 
him. W. H. Crawford candidate for President. The bat- 
tle of Challibbee. Capt. Jett Thomas. The Ci'eeks make 
their last stand. Speech of Indian chief when he sur- 
renders. Small bands of Creeks continue hostilities. Rev. 
Hope Hull 163-173 

CHAPTER XV] 11. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
1810-1820. 
Suffering on the seacoast during the war of 1812. British 
Admiral, Cockburn. Scarcity of supplies. Gen. Black- 
shear makes a road. Peace declared. News slow in 
reaching Georgia. Fight at Cumbei-land Island. Tom, a 
native African. A remarkable feat. Last act of hostility. 
News of peace arrives. Georgia's part in the Avar. The 
acts of the first Legislature after the war. Daniel Ap- 
pling's sword. Liglithorse Harry dies and is buried in 
Georgia. Cause of Seminole war, Gov. Rabun resents 
insulting letter from Gen. Jackson. The Seminoles are 
subdued. The first steamer to cross the Atlantic sails 
from Savannah. Pres. jNlonroe visits Georgia. A neAV 
ambition. Tlie Creeks cede laud to Georgia. Gov. Ra- 
bun dies in office. John Clarke, candidate for governor. 
Why he had opposition. He is elected. Federal Govern- 
ment fails to redeem its pledge to Georgia 174-180 

CHAPTER XIX. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
1820-18.30. 
George M. Troiip. Georgia factions. Talented young men. 
Clarke is reelected. Nicholas "Ware. Great fire in Savan- 



CO^'TENTS. 

nah. Yellow fever. New towns on the west side of the 
Ogeechee river. George Troup, Governor. The extm- 
guishmeut of the Indian title. Gov. Troup's difficulties. 
His courage. Duncan G. Campbell and James Meri- 
wether. Creeli council at the Indian Spring. Speech of 
the Chief, Mcintosh. Ho-poth-le-yo-holo replies to him. 
Treaty concluded. Ratified by Congress. The Chief, Mc- 
intosh, is assassinated. Gov. Troup calls extra session of 
the Legislature. Federal agent, Gen. Gaines, misrepre- 
sents the situation. Gov. Troup and Pres. Adams dis- 
agree 181-189 

CHAPTER XX. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
1820-1830. 
First election of governor directly by the people. "Troup and 
the old treaty." W. H. Crawford nominated for Presi- 
dent. He is stricken with paralysis. Returns home. 
Marquis de LaFayetle visits Georgia. His welcome in 
Savannah. He goes to Augusta. He visits Milledgeville. 
The Creek question before Congress. The Federal 
Government tries to set aside "the old treaty." Gov. 
Troup is supported by the Legislature. In Congress 
Berrien and Forsyth fight "the new treaty." Gov. 
Troup receives a threat from Pres. Adams. Gov. Troup 
issues orders to the Generals of militia. Georgia Gen- 
erals in Federal service threaten to resign. Georgia's 
rights preserved 100-195 

' CHAPTER XXI. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
1S20-1830. 
GoA'. Troup a congressman. John Forsyth is Governor. "The 
Bill of Abominations." George Gilmer's homespun suit. 
Gold is found on Duke's creek, "The .Jacksonian" nomi- 
nates Andre-R- Jackson for President. Aerolite falls near 
Forsyth. Invention of the Cherokee alphabet. Gov. For- 
syth as an orator. Cotton the chief export. Cloth woven 
on hand looms 196-202 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXIL 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
1830-1840. 
Athens favorite resort of active politicians during commence- 
ment weelv. Gov. Gilmer and tlie Clieroliees. Criminal 
jurisdiction extended over tlie Cherokee Nation. Su- 
preme Court of the U. S. decides that Georgia affairs are 
outside their jnrisdiction. New England missionaries in 
the penitentiary. Gov. Gilmer is compared to Nero. Il- 
legal mining in the gold region. "The Georgia Guard." 
Georgia is one hundred years old. "The falling stars." 
Jesse Mercer. "The cold Saturday." The death of W. H. 
Crawford 203-209 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
1830-1840. 
The Indian question. John Ridge and John Ross. Cherokee 
Georgia. John Howard Payne. "The Georgia Guard" 
aiTest him. The Seminoles "on the war path" are joine<l 
hy bands of CreelvS. Gov. Schley takes the iield. Roan- 
oke is burned to ashes. Battle of Sheppard's plantation. 
Capt. Garmany. Maj. Jernigan arrives with reinforce- 
ments. "A haunted house." 210-215 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
18.30-1840. 
The Baker county militia. The Indians make a stand. They 
are defeated. Tlie battle of Echo-wa-notch-away Swamp. 
Creeks pui-sued through Thomas county. The Creeks sue 
for peace. None remain in Georgia. Georgians assist 
Federal soldiers in Florida. The adventure of Duncan 
McKrimmon. Capt. Garmany's soldiers entertained at 
Newnan. The Texas war. Mirabeau B. Lamai-. The 
Georgia Railroad. "The Vale of Springs." Georgia 
abused for her Cherokee policy. The Cherokees leave 



CONTENTS. 

Georgia. John Ridge is assassinated. The first female 
college in the world. Georgia is in possession of her en- 
tire territory -^" — ^ 

CHAPTER XXV. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

1840-1850. 
The treasury is nearly empty. The maiden speech of Alex- 
ander H. Stephens. Suffering caused by depression in 
money matters. Gov. Charles McDonald. Old party 
lines disappear. Deniocrats and A^'higs. John M. Ber- 
rien. Dr. Crawford W. Long. Gov. George W. Craw- 
ford. First Supreme Court. Joseph Henry Lumpkin. 
How a lawsuit was ended. The first temperance speech 
in Georgia. Eugenius A. Nesbet. The influence of a 
classical education. Hiram Warner. Walter T. Colquitt. 
What constitutes a great man? Gov. George W. Towns. 
The Western and Atlantic Railroad 224-231 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
1840-1850. 
The Mexican war. Col. James S. Mcintosh. David E. 
Twiggs. Col. Henry R. Jackson. Gen. W. H. T. Walker. 
Capt. Hardee. Lieut. W. M. Gardner. Capt. Josiah Tat- 
nall. Severe hailstorm. Atlanta settled. Snow in 
April 232-235 

chaptp:r XXVII. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
18.50-1860. 
Georgia a great commonwealth. The Press. First Normal 
School. Brilliant Georgians in State and Federal councils. 
A stormy session of Congress.. Debates on the slavery 
question. Family life in Georgia. Georgia negroes. The 
story of Bess. Are Georgia women indolent? Anecdote 
of a woman who was an abolitionist. "The Georgia 
Platform." Charles J. Jenldns 23G-242 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. 
18.50-18G0. 
Gov. Ho^yell Cobb. Asylum for the deaf and dumb. Asy- 
lum for the insane. Asylum for the blind. The "Govern- 
or's Levee." Gov. Herschel Y. Johnson. Georgia con- 
gressmen. Judges of the Superior Courts. Gov. Josepli 
E. Brown. John E. Ward. Thomas R. R. Cobb. The 
Lucy Cobb Institute. "Magnanimous indiscretion." 
Stump spealiing. Citizens constitute the State. The 
great men of middle Georgia 243-249 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
18G0. 
The slavery controversy. Slavery in New England. St. Paul 
and t)ie runaway slave. A superb galaxy of great men. 
The military spirit runs high. Abraham Lincoln, Black 
Republican candidate for President. Intense excitement. 
Lincoln's election means a breach of faith. Indignation 
in Georgia. Gov. Brown's message to the Legislature. 
Georgia wUl not submit to injustice. Parties are lost 
sight of. A Convention of the people called. Approval of 
South Carolina's secession 250-254 

CHAPTER XXX. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
18(31. 
Gen. Toombs' speech to the U. S. Senate. Fort Pulaski oc- 
cupied by Georgians. .Toy in Savannah. The Press ap- 
proves. Secession the only theme of conversation. The 
blue cocliade. The Convention meets. Secession versus 
Union. Ordinance of Secession reported. Adopted. Colo- 
nial flag raised. Bonfires and illuminations. Georgia's 
right to AvithdraAV from the Union 255-2G1 



CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER XXXI. 

W.IR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
18G1. 
The Augusta Arsenal surrendered to Georgia. Work of Se- 
cession Convention continues. iNIacon firm appeals to 
Gov. Brown for justice. Delegates sent to the Congress 
in Montgomery, Ala. The seceded States form a union. 
Alex. H. Stephens is chosen Vice-President. Martin .1. 
Crawford, Commissioner to Federal Government. South- 
ern flag hoisted in Savannah. Secession Convention re- 
assembled in Savannah. Volunteer companies. Arms 
and ammunition bought. Maj.-Gen. W. H. T. Walker and 
Com. Tattnall. Lee's Volunteers. First call for troops by 
Confederate Government. Did Georgia wage war for 
slavery? Virginia is invaded and Georgia sends troops. 
The State becomes a military camp. Property freely 
given. The work of Georgia women. Companies leaving 
for Virginia receive an ovation. The 6th Ga. Regt. Vols., 
Alfred Colquitt, Colonel 202-270 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
ISC.l. 
The battle of Manassas, Va. How the news was received in 
Georgia. The Georgia troops in the battle. Gen. Francis 
Bartow killed. Gen. Beauregard compliments the 8th Ga. 
J. E. Rumney. Gen. Bartow is buried in Savannah. 
Lieut. Edward Hull. Georgians in the battle of Oak Hill, 
Mo., and Cheat Mountain Pass. Anecdote of Col. Jesse 
Glenn. Gov. Brown elected for a third term. Georgia's de- 
votion to the Confederacy. Fifty regiments in its service. 
The Federals threaten the seacoast. They capture Tybee 
Island. Georgia Brigadier-Generals in Confederate ser- 
vice. For what Avas Georgia tigliting? 271-277 



CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER XXXIII. 

AVAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
1SG2. 
Fort Pulaski. The defense of Savannah. "Wall's Cut"— his- 
tory repeats itself. Col. Olmstead. The fall of Fort Pu- 
laski. The coast blockaded. Georgians are not dis- 
couraged. The Conscript Act. Spirited correspondence 
between Gov. Brown and Pres. Davis. The rank and file 
of the Confederate army. What is rebellion? An appeal 
to the youth of Georgia. The bridge-burners. Atlanta a 
military post. Women's interest in the soldiers. The 
State troops. Munitions of war made in Georgia. The 
loom and the spinning-wheel 278-285 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
1862. 
North Georgia. A raid in Fannin county. The scarcity of 
salt. The Geoi'gia Relief and Hospital Association at 
Richmond, Va. The Creeks and Cherokees in the war. 
Georgia soldiers in Virginia. Arduous service. Law- 
ton's Brigade. Battle of Cold Harbor, Va. Toombs' 
Brigade. Battles in Virginia where Georgia troops fought. 
Anecdote of Henry .Taclcson. The Troup Artillery. More 
fighting in Virginia. "The seven Governors of Northern 
States." A characteristic of Georgia soldiers. Georgians 
in the battle at Crarapton's Gap 286-295 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

1862. 
Georgians win more fame in Virginia. Cobb's Legion. Col. 
Wm. G. Deloney. Battle of P'redericksburg, Va. Adjutant 
John Rutherford. Gen. T. R. R. Cobb mortally wounded. 
Col. Robert McMillan. Gen. Cobb's interment in Athens. 
The sufferings of Georgia soldiers. The State troops. 



CONTENTS. 

Com. Tattnall. Gen. Howell Cobb trausferred to Georgia. 
A love-letter to a Georgia private. Confederate money 
continues to depreciate. The nnm1>er of Georgians in 
Confederate and State service 296-302 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
1863. 
Terrible pressure upon tlie State. I'ort McAllister bombarded. 
Gen. Toombs' farewell to his Brigade. A picture. A wid- 
ow and her seven sons. Second attack on Fort McAllister. 
Gen. Forrest's brilliant exploit. Suffering in the moun- 
tain counties. Fidelity of the mountaineers. John B. Gor- 
don made a brigadier-general. Gen. Lawton, Quartermas- 
ter-General. More Volunteers. "Joe Brown's pets.". . .303-309 

CHAPTER XXXYII. 

AVAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
1863. 
Georgia invaded from Tennessee. Daily skirmishes. The 
battles of Chickamauga. Gen. Longstreet arrives with 
reinforcements. Gen. Lawtou's promptness. Invaders 
are driven back. Pres. Davis in Georgia. The Confeder- 
ates at Tunnel Hill. Mr. Lee is hung by the Yankees. 
The Confederate navy. A representative sailor. "Gov. 
Brown elected for a fourth term. Indifference to politics 
— military operations absorb attention. The Georgia sol- 
diers keep up their prestige in Virginia. The battle of 
Gettysburg. "General Starvation." A Columbia county 
soldier. The self-sacrifice of Georgia women. "Wayside 
Homes." The fidelity of the negroes. Legislature's 
patriotism. Gen. W. .7. Hardee. A mountain of sorrow. 
Georgia did her whole duty 310-319 

CHAPTER XXXYIII. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
1864. 
The heart of the Confederacy. Federal army resumes active 



CONTENTS. 

operations. The battle of Olustee, Fla. A girl walks 
home in her stockings. Battles in north Georgia. Extra 
session of the Legislature. The Georgia campaign be- 
gins. The Federals laj waste the country. Importance 
of the Western and Atlantic Railroad to the Federals. 
Battles of Resaca and Tanner's Ferry. Confederate army 
at Cassville. Allatoona. Pass. Battle of New Hope 
Church. Cavalry battle at Big Shanty. Kennesaw moun- 
tain. Fighting for twenty-three days. Gen. Polk killed. 
Anecdote about him. The battle of Kennesaw Moun- 
tain 320-328 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
1864. 
Description of the country. Confederates entrenched on 
Kennesaw mountain. Battle of Kolb's Farm. Artillery 
duels. Timber on fire around the Federal wounded. 
Confederates evacuate Kennesaw and Marietta. Battles 
at Ruff's Station and Smyrna. Confederates cross the 
Chattahoochee. North Georgia helpless in the clutches 
of the enemy. Young's Mounted Battalion. Confederates 
fall back to Atlanta. A grave crisis. A picture of desola- 
tion. The battle of Peaclitree Creek. The battle of At- 
lanta. Gen. W. H. T. Walker is killed. "The hero 
brothers." 329-336 

CHAPTER XL. 

WAR BET^VEEN THE STATES. 
1864. 
Stoneman's last raid. Attack on Macon. Battle of Sunshine 
Church. Damage by the raiders. The Home Guard at 
Athens. Battle of King's Tanyard. The University 
chapel becomes a banquet Hall. McCook's raid. Gen. 
Wheeler in pursuit. Battle of Ezra Church. Atlanta is 
besieged. Militia complimented by Confederate Gen- 
erals 337-342 



CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER XLI. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

1864. 

Battle of Jonesboro. Battle at Lovejoy's The fall of At- 
lanta. Gen. Sherman's atrocious order. The exiles. 
Confederates recross the Chattahoochee. Assault on 
Allatoona Pass. A lone grave. Confederate army with- 
draws from Georgia. The militia win a glorious name. 
Atlanta is burned. Federal acts of vandalism. Gen. 
Sherman's army. Savannah commanded by Gen. Hardee. 
Battle of Griswoldville 343-350 

CHAPTER XLII. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

1804. 
Stone Mountain. Federal General at Milledgeville. Flight 
of the Legislature. The State property. A company or 
convicts. Pillage around Milledgeville. "It is expensive 
to be a rebel." The Federals destroy railroads and tele- 
graph wires. Gen. Wheeler harasses the enemy. The 
Georgia Cadets in battle. Battles of Waynesboro, 
Sandersville, Buckhead Creek 351-3.57 

CHAPTER XLIII. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

1864. 
Gen. Sherman's objective point. Militia are cut off from 
Augusta, and go to Savannah. Battle of Honey Hill, 
S. C. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith. Savannah is relieved 
of a great danger. Vandalism of the Federals in middle 
Georgia. Enormous quantities of food destroyed. Anec- 
dote of Friedrich, the "Victorious." 358-364 

CHAPTER XLIV. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
1864. 
A cyclone of popular indignation. The Federals turn war 
into private profit. Wholesale destruction. Desecration 



CONTENTS. 

of graves and churches. Efforts to stir up servile in- 
surrection. An unholy crusade. "Treasure-seeliing." 
"A smart Yanlvee trick." "Mulberry Grove" destroyed. It 
becomes evident that Savannah is Gen. Sherman's ob- 
jective point. How Savannah was fortified. The Federal 
fleet. Gen. Hardee's small army. Savannah is be- 
sieged 365-370 

CHAPTER XLV. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
1SG4. 
The interior line of defense at Savannah. It is persistently 
defended. Fierce artillery duels. The fall of Fort McAl- 
lister. The Federals control the Ogeechee river. The 
Federals prepare to bombard Savannah over the heads 
of its defenders. Gen. Hardee evacuates the city. The 
Mayor makes a formal surrender. Military rule. Suffer- 
ing of the citizens. "The pirate's wife." Georgia soldiers 
fighting in other States. The love of Confederate officers 
for their men. Nick-names. The exiles return to Atlanta. 
Confederate money continues to depreciate 371-380 

CHAPTER XLVI. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
1865. 
A gloomy outlook. Col. John T. Lofton. The privations of 
the women. The exti-avagant praise of Gen. Sherman is 
the veriest balderdash. He withdr.aws from Georgia. 
The good conduct of the negroes. Horrible condi- 
tion of the mountain counties. The last Legislatin-e 
while Georgia was a member of the Confederacy. 
Federal prisons. Confederate prison at Andersonville. 
Capt. Henry Wirtz. He is offered a bribe. Where rests 
the responsibility of the useless suffering of prisoners 7.3S1-389 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XLVII. 

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
18P.5. 
Hampton Road's Couference. Distressing news. Gen. John 
B. Gordon in the retreat. Gen. Lee surrenders his army. 
Battle of Cohimbus. The war is over. Georgia's war 
record. A pathetic sight. Pres. Davis and his Cabinet 
in Georgia. Gov. Stephen Heard's P^ort. The Confeder- 
ate treasure. A bag of gold for Gen. Toombs. Pres. Davis 
Is captured. Gen. Toombs and Gray Alice. Miss Augusta 
J. Evans. Gen. Toombs escapes to Europe. The Federal 
Government fails to carry ont the terms upon which the 
Confederates surrendered. Georgians are arrested and 
imprisoned. Alex. H. Stephens in Fort Warren. The 
reason he was never tried. The heritage Georgia trans- 
mits to her children 390-399 

CHAPTER XLVIII. 

RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 
1S65-1872. 
For what was the war waged? False sentiment of the War 
Party at the North. The Legislature not allowed to con- 
vene. Gov. Brown arrested and imprisoned. He is re- 
leased. He advises Georgians to acquiesce in the arbi- 
trary measures of the Federal Government. The Pro- 
visional Governor. "The iron-clad oath." Freedmen's 
Bureau. The Yankees in Warrenton. INIilitary rule in 
Savannah. The story of a woman's fortitude. A State 
Convention. Annular eclipse of the sun. Georgia is taxed 
without representation. Georgia is "a land of memo- 
^■^^s" 400-407 

CHAPTER XLTX. 

RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 
1865-1872. 
The Fourteenth Amendment. The Reconstruction Commit- 
tee. "District Number 3." "The black belt." Trying 

XXIV 



CONTENTS. 

times. Carpet-baggers and Scallawags. "Notes on the 
situation." Gov. Jenkins. Elbert, the banner county of 
Georgia. Reconstruction Committee malie a demand on 
the treasury. It is refused. Memorial Day instituted. . 408-416 

CHAPTER L. 

RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

1865-1872. 
Gov. Jenkins is deprived of his office. The Yankees move 
the capital to Atlanta. The Union League. The Kuklux 
Klan. Georgia is ruled by aliens. The Columbus prison- 
ers. The tyranny of Congress 417-425 

CHAPTER LI. 

RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

1865-1872. 
"The Bush Arbor Speeches." Georgia again under military 
rule. Death of Gen. Howell Cobb. The Fifteenth Amend- 
ment. The lawlessness of the Radicals. The frauds 
practiced by the aliens. State Convention meets in At- 
lanta. Death of Gen. R. E. Lee. Martial law in time of 
peace. Speech of Linton Stephens. The Republican 
Governor flees from the State. Georgia controls her own. 
J. M. Smith, a Confederate Colonel, becomes Governor. 
The hero of the reconstruction period 426-435 

CHAPTER LIE 

REBUILDING THE STATE. 
1872-1880. 
Staunchness of Georgians. Gen. J. B. Gordon to the U. S. 
Senate. "The great Commoner." The first Confederate 
reunion. Gen. Alfred Colquitt, Governor. The tra- 
ditional generosity of Georgians. A new State Constitu- 
tion. The bogus bonds. A rising vote of thanks. Geor- 
gia moves the capital to Atlanta. The Middle Georgia 
Agricultural College. Hon. B. H. Hill to the U. S. Sen- 
ate 43i)-442 



CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER LIII. 

REBUILDING THE STATE. 
1880-1890. 
Georgia begins to prosper. CIov. Colquitt's second term. 
James Jaclison is clioseu Cliief-Justice. The International 
Cotton Exposition. Death of Hon. B. H. Hill. A move- 
ment to erect a monument to his memory. Gov. Colquitt 
to the U. S. Senate. Alex. H. Stephens becomes Governor. 
"Dixie." The power of knowledge 443-450 

CHAPTER LIV. 

REBUILDING THE STATE. 

1880-1890. 
The sesqui-centennial. The men who wore "the gray." 
Death of Gov. Stepliens. Hon. Henry D. McDaniel be- 
comes Governor. Rejoicings over the election of Grover 
Cleveland for President. Gen. Henry R. Jackson becomes 
Minister to Mexico. The Legislature appropriates one 
million dollars to build a State-house. Corner-stone is 
laid. Death of Gen. Robert Toombs 451-458 

CHAPTER LV. 

REBUILDING THE STATE. 

1880-1890. 
Unveiling the Hill monument. Georgia gives Pres. Davis an 
o^ atiou. Speech of Pres. Davis. "The daughter of the 
Confederacy." Georgia is loyal to her traditions 4.59-465 

CHAPTER LVI. 

REBUILDING THE STATE. 

1880-1890. 

May month. Anniversary of the Chatham Artillery. Pres. 

Davis in Savannah. Georgia contradicts the old adage, 

"Republics are ungrateful." Telfair Academy of Arts 

and Sciences. Gen. J. B. Gordon, Governor. Death of 



CONTENTS. 

Chief-Justice Jackson. Logau E. Bleckley his successor. 
Monument to Sergeant Jasper. The hundredth anniver- 
sary of the University, Description of the new capitol. 
Georgia's Pantheon. Gen. Lee's birthday becomes a State 
holiday. Death of Pres. Davis. Funeral ceremonies over 
the State 466-474 

CHAPTER LVII. 

REBUILDING THE STATE. 
1890-1893. 
Georgia's permanent prosperity. Climate. True greatness. 
Hon. W. J. Nortlien is Governor. A sti'ong delegation in 
Congress. Charles F. Crisp. The Girls' Normal and In- 
dustrial College. Democrats make an obstinate fight. 
The "third party." Georgia farmers. The 400th anniver- 
sary of the discovery of America. Georgia's vrork in the 
national Democratic campaign. True to Jeffersonian prin- 
ciples. Gov. Northen is re-elected 475-481 

CHAPTER LVIII. 

REBUILDING THE STATE. 
1890-1893. 
Waiting for news. "The Constitution cannon." A dramatic 
incident. The Stephens monument. The unveiling cere- 
monies. The over-production of cotton. Pres. Davis's 
funeral train passes through Georgia. His body lies in 
state in the capitol. A guard of honor from Georgia goes 
to Richmond for the final ceremonies. Georgia's growth 
from an infant colony to a sovereign State 482-490 

CONCLUSION. 

An appeal to the youth of Georgia. "The red old hills of 
Georgia." State pride versus national pride. Speech of 
Gen. Heni-y R. Jackson 491-495 



INTRODUCTION, 



Long before the idea was formulated in the brain of 
Christopher Columbus, of a new world beyond the pillars 
of Hercules, the fair territory which in process of time be- 
came the State of Georgia, was divided between two power- 
ful Indian nations, the Creeks and the Cherokees. 

These nations were subdivided into tribes. Their princi- 
pal settlements were in rich valleys or near large streams. 
The brave and comely Cherokees dwelt in the north, 
among the hills and mountains; the Creeks occupied the 
middle and southern portions of the country, and the 
islands along the coast. 

In figure these Indians were tall and well shaped; their 
manners were dignified, their coimtenances were open and 
jilacid, ^vith heroism and bravery stamped upon their brows. 
Their complexion was reddish bro"v\Ti, and their long, coarse 
hair was as black as a raven's wing. In all their actions 
they exhibited an air of independence and superiority. 

The Cherokees were reserved in conversation, circum- 
spect in deportment, grave in manner, very tenacious of 
their liberties, and ready at all times to sacrifice their lives 
in defense of their territory and their rights. The Creeks 
were more haughty and arrogant, very ambitious of con- 
quest, and — though constantly engaged in warfare — were 
ever magnanimous to a vanquished foe. 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The Cherokee women were tall, mth delicate forms and 
cheerful countenances; the Creek women were shapely, 
though low of stature, with regular features, high fore- 
heads, and large, black eyes. 

In the charming land of the Cherokees there were sixty- 
four towns and villages, and the Creek Nation contained a 
much larger number. 

These Indiams were far from being savages. They 
were politically well organized, occupied permanent seats, 
and were largely engaged in the cultivation of corn, beans, 
melons, and fruits. 

Tobacco was cultivated and universally used; the Indians 
believed smoking to be peculiarly pleasing to the Great 
Spirit, Whom they fancied was Himself addicted to this 
habit. The pipe was their constant companion— their sol- 
ace in fatigue and trouble, their delight in hours of ease; 
whether upon the warpath, engaged in hunting and fishing, 
or lazily reclining in their huts, it was ever near them; a 
avrabol of peace and friendship, it was used in religious and 
political rites. The large pipes, called calumets, were em- 
ployed only on occasions of ceremony, and were generally 
highly ornamented. 

As it was an emblem of peace and good-will among Euro- 
peans to drink from the same cup, so a similar idea was con- 
veyed among the Indians by taking a whiff from the same 
jnpe. Quantities of ancient pipes and calumets have been 
found in their burial mounds. 

The Indians regarded corn as a direct gift from the Great 
Spirit, and observed festivals— attended with interesting 
ceremonie^-both when it was planted and gathered. Each 
year, at the harvest, a certain portion was set aside for the 



INTRODUCTION. 

support of the head Chief or King; this portion Avas de- 
posited in a public granary, Avhere were also stored, for his 
use, dried fish and jerked meat. Travellers and strangers 
were fed from this store; thence rations were given to the 
warriors when setting out upon an expedition, and, if they 
never returned, their wives and children were the especial 
care of the King, and were fed from the public granary. 
In addition to the food obtained by cultivating the land, 
the splendid forests, which stretched from mountain to sea- 
board, were full of game, and the rivers abounded in some 
of the best varieties of fish. These Indians also watched 
and nurtured with great care the nut-bearing trees — walnut, 
hickory and pecan — which sprang spontaneously from the 
generous soil. 

Their agricultural and domestic implements — including 
earthen and copper vessels, and stone mortars and pestles for 
crushing corn — were of the most primitive description, but 
answered well the purposes for which they were made. It 
seems singular that they should have been ignorant of the 
use of iron, but such was the case. They probably pro- 
cured copper from the ancient mines on Lake Superior. 
The bones of animals and large fish were manufactured into 
articles for domestic use. Their arrow-heads, made of 
stone, were noted for beauty of material and excellence of 
workmanship: the arrow shafts were made of the light cane 
that grew on every river bank. 

These Indian? were more provident of the future, more 
attached to their homes, and less scornful of manual labor 
than was usual among Red ]\[en. Living under a sunny 
sky, they usually needed and wore but little clothing. 
AVhen winter compelled them to cover their bodies, they 

3 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

used well-dressed skins, or blankets and shawls made either 
from coarse grass or the inner bark of trees. Their feet 
were protected by buckskin shoes. Both men and women 
were fond of ornaments for ear, nose, and lip, and the cus- 
tom of tattooing was almost universal. They delighted in 
necklaces, bracelets and anklets, and even waist-bands of 
pearls and shells were worn. Before they came in contact 
with the white race, they seemed rarely to have used gold 
and silver. 

Their rude cabins were made of upright poles, daubed 
with earth, leaves, or moss. The dwelling of the Chief 
was usually in the center of the village, and was larger and 
more carefully finished than the houses of the common 
people. Safe conduct and welcome was everywhere given 
to the trader, who made long and arduous journeys to pro- 
cure, by exchange, such articles as could not be obtained at 
home. 

In their government, the head Chief or King was inva- 
riably chosen from the most worthy. Despotic to some ex- 
tent, he was yet assisted in all matters of State by a Council,- 
and the Council House was the most important edifice in a. 
town. At once king, judge and adviser, the Chief con- 
trolled the public granaries, appointed the time for plant- 
ing and gathering corn, declared war and made peace, fixed 
the dates for festivals, and had the right to compel the labor 
of the whole community for any public work. ISText in 
rank was the War Chief, who led the armies, and in coun- 
cil sat nearest to the King. Then the Chief Priest, whose- 
influence was all-powerful in spiritual affairs; without his 
advice no hostile expedition was ever decided upon by the- 
Council. 



INTRODUCTION. 

These Indians treated their women with a certain respect 
■and consideration, bnt regarded them as their inferiors. 
The men assisted in making crops and in other outdoor 
work, so that all the drudgery was not left to the women, as 
was common with Indians in some other parts of the New 
IV^orld. As a matter of course, the women did the cooking, 
and also most of the work in manufacturing pottery, mats, 
baskets, moccasins and tunics. They took care of the chil- 
dren, and were such careful and tender mothers, that a de- 
formed, lame or sickly child was seldom seen. 

At an early age the boys were drilled in manly sports, 
and taught the secrets of hunting and fishing. The Indian 
youth, like the applicant for knighthood in European Coun- 
tries, had to undergo a season of fasting, and general purifi- 
cation of body and soul, before he entered upon the dignity 
of manhood and assumed its responsibilities. 

A man never married a member of his own tribe, and 
marriage gave him no right to the property of his wife. 
Divorce was a matter of mutual consent; in case of separa- 
tion, the wife kept the children and all property belonging 
to them. 

Next to warfare, hunting was the favorite pastime of the 
men. Dogs were domesticated, and abounded in all their 
villages; they were the constant companions and friends of 
their masters, and not infrequently were given the rite of 
burial. 

Believing in the immortality of the soul, and in a future 
state of reward and punishment, these Indians worshiped 
one Great Spirit as the Creator, from Whom came all good 
things, especially wisdom. They believed in the existence 
of evil spirits, from whose influence it was the duty of the 

5 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

priest, conjurer and medicine man, to protect them. More 
or less distinctly, they recognized a soul in each individual, 
and they believed that in accordance with their conduct in 
this life would be their good or evil state in the next world. 
With such views, it was natural that they should have pro- 
found veneration for, and attachment to their relations and 
great men, and that they should jealously watch over and 
defend their graves. 

Breathing the soft air of a genial climate; surrounded bv 
forests and streams that supplied them food with little ef- 
fort; relieved, in a great measure, .from any severe struggle 
for clothes and shelter, these Indians were, upon the whole^ 
a gentle, agricultural people, with pleasure-loving disposi- 
tions. Without any thought of change, they lived their 
simple lives, unconscious of the throbbing life on the other 
side of the Great Water, and of the existence of the pale- 
faced warriors who were destined to force them from their 
beloved country and the graves of their fathers. 

The first Europeans known to have set foot in this earthly 
paradise were the reno\vned knight, Hernando De Soto, 
and his companions. De Soto had aided Pizarro in the con- 
quest of Peru, and was ambitious to achieve a similar con- 
quest and to gain a larger booty; so he obtained a permit 
from the King of Spain, to subdue Florida and all the land 
northward. 

Allured by the report of the existence of gold, he led his 
enthusiastic little army into Georgia. It was composed al- 
most entirely of young cavaliers in whose veins flowed some 
of the best blood of Spain. They were accustomed to hard- 
ships, skilled in the use of weapons, and their imaginations 
were inflamed with visions of glory and wealth. They 

6 



INTRODUCTION. 

wore fine armor and costly clothes, and their horses were 
richly caparisoned. They had servants to wait on them, 
mules to carry burdens, an abundance of provisions, and 
tools and implements of every kind that could be needed. 

De Soto entered Georgia at the southwest and held his 
course towards the head-waters of the Savannah and Chat- 
tahoochee rivers, an Indian guiding him through the un- 
known region. Twenty-five miles by water below the city 
of Augusta, he found a large town, shaded by mulberry 
trees, where he was entertained royally by a Queen whose 
chief seat it was, and who ruled as undisputed sovereign 
over an extensive Province. She welcomed De Soto with 
courteous words, and, drawing a long string of pearls from 
over her head, put it around his neck in token of friendship. 
She was very dignified and queenly, and the Spaniards were 
much impressed by her appearance. De Soto, in acknowl- 
edgment of her beautiful gift, and as a pledge of peace, 
took from his finger a ring of gold set with a ruby, and 
gently placed it upon hers. She supplied the Spaniards 
with provisions, canoes, and whatever else was needed for 
their comfort during their sojourn. 

In that age, adventurers claimed for their King all lands 
w^hich they explored, and took liberties with the natives and 
their property, without a thought of the injustice of their 
actions. So the Spaniards rewarded the kindness of their 
entertainers by searching the sepulchres of the town, from 
which they took "three hundred and fifty weight of pearls, 
and figures of babies and birds made from iridescent shells." 

AVhen De Soto announced to the Queen his contemplated 
departure, she was so angry at the outrages that her people 
had suffered from the strangers, that she refused to aid 

7 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

them, either with guides or otherwise. De Soto was of- 
fended at her resentment, placed her under guard, and, 
when he resumed his journey, compelled her and her fe- 
male attendants to accompany him, on foot, to the confines 
of her territory; for, through her influence, he knew he 
could control the natives while traversing her territory. 
One of De Soto's officers, the Knight of Elvas, wrote in his 
journal: "We passed through her country an hundred 
leagues, in which, as we saw, she was much obeyed." This 
same Knight criticized De Soto's treatment of the Queen 
as unwarranted. Forcing her to walk was a very great in- 
dignity, as, when she moved abroad, she was accustomed to 
be seated upon a palanquin borne on the shoulders of men. 

When the Spaniards arrived among the Cherokees, with- 
in the present limits of Franklin county, a Chief presented 
DeSoto with two deerskins, as a mark of frendship, and in 
one village seven hundred wild turkeys were brought to him 
for the refreshment of his army. 

It was in the blooming month of May, when the Span- 
iards reached the picturesque region of the Cherokee Nation. 
For two days they rested at a village in Nacoochee valley, 
and then started westward; in this march the Queen es- 
caped into the forest, and every effort to recapture her was 
fruitless, so thoroughly did she conceal herself. Her juris- 
diction extended to what is now the southeast corner of 
Murray coimty, and De Soto had intended to liberate her 
when he reached that point. He rested there four days, 
and then pursued his journey. Everywhere he met with 
kindness, receiving presents of the choicest and best that 
the land afforded. 



INTRODUCTION. 

On the fifth day of leafy June, De Soto reached what is 
now the town of Rome. His men and horses were so worn 
and jaded that perfect rest was an absolute necessity; the 
people were so hospitable, and the country so beautiful, that 
he remained there thirty days. What an evidence of the 
humane disposition of those Indians: they generously 
treated the intruding strangers whom they could easily have 
exterminated. 

When the men were thoroughly rested and the horses 
again in good condition, De Soto set out down the valley of 
the Coosa river, and was soon beyond the confines of Geor- 
gia. He had entered this State early in March, 1540, and 
left it on the second day of July of the same year. Thus 
did these Spanish cavaliers behold the primal beauties of 
Georgia's forests, rivers, valleys and mountains, and enjoy 
the hospitality of her primitive people. 

The aborigines lived so near the heart of Nature that they 
learned her secrets, and were unconscious poets. Their 
language, abounding in vowels, was soft and musical. 
Every proper noun had a meaning that was significant and 
often wonderfully poetic — as, Cohuttah (Frog mountain), 
Talhilah (Terrible), Toccoa (Beautiful), Amicalolah 
(Tumbling Water), Hiwassee (Pretty Fawn), Okefinoke^ 
{Quivering Earth), and Chattahoochee (Rocky River). 
]S" either the Creeks nor the Cherokees had a written lan- 
guage, and their history is a matter of tradition. The Creek 
language bore a resemblance to classic Greek. Their leg- 
ends — wild, romantic, often tragic — are still full of interest 
for their pale-faced successors. 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The Legend of Naco(3chee. 

Lon^ before the Anglo-Saxon bad made bis first foot- 
print on tbese western sbores, there dwelt in a lovely valley 
in north Georgia, a young maiden of wonderful, almost 
celestial beauty; her name was I^s^acoocbee (The Evening 
Star). She was the daughter of a Chieftain, and in doing- 
honor to her, the people of her tribe almost forgot the Great 
Spirit who made her and endowed her with such strange 
beauty. 

A son of the Chieftain of a neighboring, hostile tribe saw 
the beautiful ISTacoochee and loved her. He stole her 
young heart, and she loved him with an intensity of pas- 
sion that only the noblest souls can know. They met be- 
neath the holy stars and sealed their simple vows with 
kisses. They found fitting trysting-places in this charming 
valley, where, from the interlocked branches overhead, 
hung festoons in which the white petals of the clematis 
and the purple blossoms of the magnificent wild passion- 
flower mingled with the dark foliage of the muscadine. 
The song of the mocking-bird and the murmur of the Chat- 
tahoochee's hurrying waters w^ere marriage-hymn and an- 
J;hem to them. They vowed to live and die together. 

Intelligence of these secret meetings reached the ear of 
the old Chief, ISTacoochee's father, and his anger was te*- 
rible. But love for Laceola was even stronger in the heart 
of ISTacoochee than reverence for her father's behests. 

One night the maiden was missed from the village. 
The old Chief commanded his warriors to pursue the fugi- 
tive. They found her w^ith Laceola, the son of a hated 
race. Instantly an arrow was aimed at his breast. ISTa- 

10 



INTRODUCTION. 

coocliee sprang before him, and received the barbed shaft 
in her own heart. Laceola was so stupefied by this horrible 
catastrophe that he made no resistance to his enemies, and 
his blood mingled with hers. The lovers were buried in 
the same grave, and a lofty mound was raised to mark the 
spot. 

Deep grief seized the old Chief and all his people, and 
the valley ever afterwards was called JSTacoochee. 

A solitary pine, which was long a landmark in this lovely 
vale, sprang up from the mound which marked the trysting- 
place and grave of the maiden and her lover. 

How THE Cherokee Rose Received its Name. 

A proud young Chieftain of the Seminoles was taken 
prisoner by his enemies, the Cherokees, and doomed to 
death by torture; but he fell so seriously ill, that it became 
necessary to wait for his restoration to health before com- 
mitting him to the flames. 

As he was lying, prostrated by disease, in the cabin of a 
Cherokee warrior, the daughter of the latter, a dark-eyed 
maiden, was his nurse. She rivalled in grace the bounding 
fawn, and the young warriors of her tribe said of her that 
the smile of the Great Spirit was not so beautiful. Was it 
any wonder that, though death stared the young Seminole 
in the face, he should be happy in her presence? Was it 
any wonder that they sliould love each other? 

Stern hatred had stifled every kindly feeling in the 
hearts of the Cherokees, and they grimly awaited the time 
when their enemy must die. As the color slowly returned 
to the cheeks of her lover, and strength to his limbs, the 
dark-eyed maiden eagerly urged him to make his escape. 

11 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

How could she see him die ? But he would not agree to 
seek safety in flight, unless she went with him; he could 
better endure death hy torture than life without her. 

She yielded to his pleading: at the midnight hour, si- 
lently they slipped into the dim forest, guided by the pale 
light of silvery stars. Yet before they had gone far, im- 
pelled by soft regret at leaving her home forever, she asked 
her lover's permission to return for an instant, that she 
might bear away some memento. So, retracing her foot- 
steps, she broke a sprig from the glossy-leafed vine which 
climbed upon her father's cabin, and, preserving it during 
her flight through the wilderness, planted it by the door of 
her new home in the land of the Seminoles, where its milk- 
white blossoms, with golden centers, often recalled her 
childhood days in the far-away mountains of Georgia. 

From that time, this beautiful flower has always been 
known, throughout the Southern States, as the Cherokee 
Rose. 

The Indians have passed away from this beautiful land 
they loved so well; but the memory of them still lingers, 
and will linger forever in the melodious names of Georgia's 
mountains, rivers and vales. 



12 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER I. 

COLONIAL PEKIOD. 

There lived in England, in 1782, a man named James- 
Oglethorpe, who was a lover of his kind, and had the deep- 
est sympathy for the poor and oppressed of all countries. 
He was a soldier and a statesman ; but public life could not 
spoil his amiable disposition or harden his warm heart. He 
was generous to his friends and charitable to the poor. So 
keen was his sense of honor that no bribe of power or for- 
tune could tempt him to turn from what he thought his 
duty. Wherever he heard of suffering, there he liked to 
go, in order to do all in his power to relieve it. So it very 
naturally happened that, beinu; a member of parliament, he 
should have been apjpointed one of a committee to visit the 
debtors' prisons and report their condition. He was greatly 
touched by the misery and bodily suffering endured by the 
inmates : their pale faces and wistful eyes haunted him con- 
tinually. 

In those days it was the law in England to imprison a 
man for debt, whether the amount was large or small; and 
the jails were full of persons whose only offense was their 

13 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

inability to pay the money they owed. The statesmanship 
of James Oglethorpe found a remedy for this evil by plan- 
ning to give them homes in the ISTew World. 

The adventures and romance connected with the west- 
em continent kept the eyes of Europe fixed upon it with 
eager interest ; to colonize it was the highest ambition of the 
most powerful nations, who readily granted charters and 
encouraged adventurers. 

So it chanced that in the reign of King George I. of Eng- 
land, one of his subjects, Sir Robert Montgomery, obtained 
a grant of land lying between the Altamaha and Savannah 
rivers, for the purpose of founding a colony there, to be 
called the Margravate of Azilia. He agreed that if no 
settlement was made within three years, his grant should be 
void. To induce people to settle there, the noble lord wrote 
a flaming pamphlet and painted his future Eden in glowing 
terms. He called it "the most amiable country of the uni- 
verse," and assured the public that "nature had not blessed 
the world with any tract which could be preferable to it; 
that Paradise with all her virgin beauties may be modestly 
supposed, at most, but equal to its native excellencies." 

"It lies," he continues, "in the same latitude with Pales- 
tine herself, that promised Canaan which was pointed out 
by God's own choice to bless the labors of a favorite peo- 
ple." However, the scheme failed; and at the end of the 
specified three years Azilia was without inhabitants, save 
the red men of the forest. 

Long before Georgia was colonized it was often the the- 
atre of war, being a doubtful borderland between the 
Spanish possessions in Florida and the English settlements 

14 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

In Carolina. On all occasions the French on the west, and 
the Spaniards on the south, tried to excite the Indians 
against the feeble colonists in Carolina, who themselves 
often provoked tlie red men by acts of violence. 

The British government resented the monopol_y of the 
Indian trade enjoyed by France and Spain, deeming this 
trade and an alliance with the Cherokee Xation so impor- 
tant that Sir Alexander dimming, of Aberdeenshire, Scot- 
land, was sent on a secret mission to obtain their friendship. 
He penetrated into the very heart of the ISTation, and so suc- 
cessfully accomplished his mis:^ion that the Cherokees swore 
allegiance to the king of England. Seven of their promi- 
nent men accompanied Sir Alexander when he returned, 
and were finely entertained for four months; then they were 
sent back to their homes in upper Georgia, much gratified 
by their visit, greatly impressed with the power and wealth 
of the English nation, and firmly resolved to maintain 
friendly relations with it. So, the embassy of Sir Alex- 
ander Cumming secured peace for the exposed settlements 
in Carolina, and was of the utmost importance to the colony 
which, in the near future, was to be planted on the Savan- 
nah river. 

This Avas the land to which Oglethorpe now turned his 
eyes as a refuge for the distressed. He interested many 
benevolent individuals in his scheme; parliament appropri- 
ated a large sum of money to aid him, and George II., on 
the 9th day of June, 1732, made a grant of the entire terri- 
tory lying between the Altamaha and Savannah rivers. 
The new colony was to be named Georgia, in honor of 
the King who granted the charter. The land was con- 
veyed to Oglethorpe, and twenty-one other gentlemen. 

15 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

who were officially known as the ''Trustees for the 
Establishment of the Colony of Georgia." They held their 
first regular meeting in London, in July, at which was read 
the charter that conveyed the land to them for twenty-one 
years, distinctly stating the benevolent purpose for which 
the colony was to be founded. It excluded Koman Cath- 
olics from the benefits of the country, but the poor of Great 
Britain, and oppressed Protestants from all countries, were 
to find' a welcome. The thrifty Huguenots, the gentle 
Moravians driven from Austria, and the Salzburgers, exiled 
from their Alpine valleys because they were followers of 
Luther, all were to find homes and safety in Georgia, the 
only colony ever founded for sweet charity's sake. A hope 
to convert the Indians was another of Oglethorpe's good 

motives. 

The Trustees chose James Oglethorpe governor of their 
colony. He had asked permission to accompany the emi- 
grants and establish them in Georgia, agreeing to pay his 
own expenses and devote his whole time to the enterprise. 
So, in November, he embarked in the good ship Anne, hav- 
ing on board one hundred and thirty persons— one hundred 
and sixteen of whom were emigrants. In January the ship 
arrived at Charleston, and the passengers were cordially 
welcomed by the Governor and the citizens generally. The 
Anne had made a safe passage and the health of the emi- 
grants was good; the death of two delicate little boys, one 
only eight months old, cast the only shadow that rested upon 
their hearts as the good ship plowed through the waters of 
the broad Atlantic. 

From Charleston, Oglethorpe sailed to Beaufort; and 
while the emigrants went ashore for rest and refreshment, 

16 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

he ascended the Savannah river to make some explorations 
and select a place to settle. On a bold bluff he found a fine 
situation for his .town, which, from the river that flowed by^ 
he called Savannah. 

^ He visited and conciliated the Indians in that section; in 
his first interview he formed a warm friendship for Tomo- 
chi-chi, the king of an Indian Confederacy, who presented 
him with a buffalo robe painted on the inside with the head 
and feathers of an eagle, saying: "The feathers of the 
eagle are soft, and signify love; the buffalo skin is warm, 
and is the emblem of protection : therefore, love and pro- 
tect our little families." 

AtYamacraw,(the Indian name of the bluff), Oglethorpe 
found a woman named Mary, who could speak both the 
Creek and English languages, and who acted as his inter- 
preter. She was born at the chief town in the Creek N'a- 
tion, and through her mother was descended from a sister 
of the old king of the Creeks. Her Indian name was Con- 
sa-pon-a-kee-so. Her father, who was a white man, had 
carried her to Carolina when she was seven years old, to be 
raised and educated; there she was baptized and given the 
(Christian name, ]\[ary, 

y\ hen Col. John Musgrove was sent by the Carolina gov- 
ernment to make a treaty of alliance with the Creeks, he 
was accompanied by his son John, who became acquainted 
with this Indian maiden and married her. Oglethorpe 
found John and Mary at Yamacraw, where they had estab- 
lished a trading-house : as Mary exerted a powerful influ- 
ence over the neighboring Indians, he purchased her friend- 
ship with presents. Afterwards, he paid her a regular sal- 

2g 17 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

ary of one liundred pounds a year to act as his interpreter. 
Her husband died three years after Oglethorpe first met 
her. While she was a widow, he persuaded her to estab- 
lish a trading-house on the south side of the Altamaha river, 
and there she married Capt. Jacob Matthews. In this way, 
Oglethorpe placed an influential friend on his southern 

frontier. 

As soon as he had selected a site for his town, Oglethorpe 
returned to Beaufort, and the following Sunday was cele- 
brated by the emigrants as a day of Thanksgiving for their 
safe arrival. He provided the dinner out of his private 
purse; besides the emigrants, the gentlemen of tie neigh- 
borhood and their families were invited. There were pre- 
pared for this feast ^^four fat hogs, eight turkeys, many 
fowls, English beef, and other provisions; also, a hogshead 
of punch, a hogshead of beer, and a large quantity of wine." 
At the table everything was conducted in the most agree- 
able manner; no one got drunk, neither was there the least 
disorder among the crowd. 

A few days after this memorable repast the emigrants 
set sail for Savannah and built their new homes beneath the 
pines that then crowned Yamacraw Bluff. The town was 
laid out in streets and squares, and the plan has never been 
altered. It was in the month of February, 1733, that work 
was begun on the first town in Georgia. The delicious per- 
fume of the yellow jessamine was already mingling mth 
the odor of the pines; the trees were vocal with the songs of 
birds, and the balmy breath of spring was quickening all 
nature into life and beauty. It was a goodly hand, and the 
colonists, now no longer emigrants, worked with a will,^ re- 
ceiving much valuable assistance from their Car.ilina neigh- 

18 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 



bors. llie Governor of Carolina sent, for their protection 
a detachment of military, called the Eangers, and also an 
armed bark, called the Scout-boat. It was not long before 
Oglethorpe's colonists were settled in their new homes 

Having to bnild a fort at the eastern extremity of the 
blnft, besides erecting residences, their labor for a while 
was very arduous; but they all shared in it with energy and 
cheerfulness. Oglethorpe was present everywhere, plan- 
ning, superintending and encouraging. He was assisted in 
aymg out his town, by Col. William Bull, of South Caro- 
lina, who also generously lent four of his negroes, expert 
sawyers, to help get out boards for houses. He brought his 
own provisions to feed them, being resolved to put the col- 
ony to no expense; so his benefaction was bestoAved in the 
most noble and useful manner. 

Oglethorpe claimed no labor from the colonists for him- 
self, but had a tent pitched under four clustering pines 
which he had ordered to be left standing near the bluff, and 
he lived m that tent for nearly a year. Afterwards, he con- 
tented himself with hired lodgings in one of the houses of 
his people. 

Tomo-chi-chi had given them a warm welcome, and 0-le- 
thorpehad paid him liberally for as much land as was 
needed. In nothing did the founder of the colony of Geor- 
gia show his wisdom and executive ability more than in his 
conduct towards the Indians. He constantly exhorted his 
people to be prudent and upright in all their dealings with 
them. "It IS my hope," he said, "that, through your good 
exam]3le, the settlement of Georgia may prove a blessing 
and not a curse to the native inhabitants." His fame soon 
reached the interior, and in a short time treaties were made 



19 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

with tlie Upper and Lower Creeks, the Cherokees in the 
mountains, and the Choctaws on the borders of the Gnlf 
of Mexico. The Indians had great confidence in him, be- 
cause he always acted towards them in good faith. With- 
out their friendship the condition of the infant colony- 
would have been precarious. The vast Atlantic was rolling 
between them and the mother country; the Carolina settle- 
ments were few in number, and had to struggle for their 
own existence. The Spaniards in Florida were only wait- 
ing for an opportanity to disjnite their claim to the soil, and 
the Indian tribes who owned the country, were jealously 
watching the encroachments of the white race upon their 
hunting-grounds. Fortunately, however, the planting of 
a colony in Georgia had been confided to a man who had 
the prudence, wisdom and skill to do it successfully. 

It was now that Tomo-chi-chi's friendship was of the 
first importance to Oglethorpe and his people; and his kind- 
ness and fidelity to the whites should ever receive the most 
grateful acknowledgment. While we honor Oglethorpe 
as the founder of our beloved State, let it not be forgotten 
that in his hour of doubt and danger, this son of the forest 
was as his right arm, and the Indian's active friendship was 
the surest guaranty of the safety, and even the very exist- 
ence of the new settlement. To the day of his death, To- 
mo-chi-chi was the faithful adviser and protector of the 
young colony; as such, let his name be honored by every 
Georgian ! 

The very next year after Savannah was founded, a com- 
pany of Salzburgers arrived there, and were cordially re- 
ceived. They wished to settle some distance from the sea,. 
among the hills and dales, where the country was supplied 

20 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

"vvith springs and would remind them of the dear land from 
which they were exiled. In their behalf, Oglethorpe him- 
self went with a company of his people and some Indians to 
make a tour of observation. They penetrated nearly thirty 
miles into the interior, and chose a pleasant spot on the 
banks of a river where were hills, valleys, small creeks, and 
•springs of clear, pure water. The Salzburgers were highly 
•delighted with the situation and beauty of the country ; and 
their first act, when they reached this land of safety, was 
to sing a psalm. Then they set up a stone which they 
found upon the spot, and named the place Ebenezer, "the 
stone of help." Truly could they say : "Hitherto hath the 
Lord helped us." 

The region around Ebenezer was afterwards called St. 
Matthew's Parish, and is now Effingham county, named 
in honor of Lord Effingham, who, some years afterwards, 
so nobly defended the resistance of the colonies to the 
mother country, and resigned his commission in the British 
army rather than fight in a cause which he thought unjust. 

The new town was under the superintendence of the 
Eev. Mr. Bolzius, who had resigned an honorable and lucra- 
tive position at home, to accompany his countrymen to 
Georgia. 

Oglethorpe showed fine judgment in locating his towns 
where they could best be protected from attacks, either of 
the Indians or Spaniards. 

The next settlement was made at Darien, by a party of 
Highlanders from Scotland. When they were resting in 
Savannah, prior to departing for their new home, some Caro- 
linians tried to dissuade them from going so far south, tell- 
ing them that the Spaniards, from their houses in the fort, 

21 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

would shoot them down. With a spirit worthy of the 
countrymen of WaHace and Bruce, they reph'ed : "Why, 
then we will heat them out of their fort, and shall have 
houses ready Luilt to live in." 

Again did Oglethorpe show his wisdom, in placing these 
brave and hardy men at an outpost on his southern frontier; 
and well did these valiant spirits fulfill the trust ! Geor- 
gia, both as a colony and State, owes a large debt of grati- 
tude to them and to their descendants. 

The next settlement was made directly by Oglethorpe, 
who, m iTiJy, ascended the Savannah river to a point just 
below the falls, and built a fort which he named Augustay 
in honor of a royal princess of Great Britain. So advan- 
tageous was this situation that the town which soon sprang 
up, became a center for Indian trade, superior to any either 
in Carolina or Georgia. Oglethorpe was so pleased at the 
enterprise of Mr. Bryan, who began the work of settle- 
ment, and built a well-furnished storehouse at his o\\ti ex- 
pense, that he recommended the Trustees to give him five 
hundred acres of land. 

Having obtained the territory between the Altamaha and 
St. Mary's rivers, by a treaty with the Indians, Oglethorpe 
erected a fort on Cumberland Island, which he named Fort 
William, and one on Amelia Island, which was called Fort 
St. George. 

The next company of emigrants who came over, was 
located on St. Simon's island, and their toAvn was called 
Frederica, in honor of Frederick, Prince of Whales, eldest 
son of George II. I'he town was laid out by Oglethorpe, 
with wide streets crossing each other at right angles, and 
planted with rows of orange trees. It became his favorite 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

residence, and near there was his small cottage, with fifty 
acres of land — the only property he ever owned or claimed 
in Georgia. 

After Oglethorpe had remained fifteen months in Geor- 
gia he left Thomas Canston in charge and returned to Eng- 
land that he might inform the Trustees, and the public gen- 
erally, of the true condition of the colony. Judging that 
its security would be promoted by taking with him some 
intelligent Indians, who, by personal observation, might 
obtain an idea of the greatness of the British empire, he 
invited Tomo-chi-chi and five other chiefs to accompany 
him. They all accepted the invitation, and the aged king, 
then past ninety years, resolved to take his wife, Sce-nawki, 
and his adopted son, Too-na-howi. 

When Oglethorpe said good-bye to his people, who at- 
tended him to the boat which was to take him to Charles- 
ton, they could not keep back their tears, at parting from 
one whom they looked upon as their ''Benefactor" and 
"Father." 

The Indians produced a great sensation in London. 
People flocked to see them and gave them many and various 
kinds of gifts. 

They were presented to King George with much pomp 
and ceremony. On this interesting occasion Tomo-chi-chi 
and his wife were dressed in scarlet, trimmed with gold. 
He presented eagle feathers, the trophies of his country, to 
the King of England, and in his speech said : "These are the 
feathers of the eagle, Avhich is the swiftest of birds, and 
who flieth all around our nations. These feathers are a 
sign of peace in our land, and have been carried from town 
to tOAvn there; and we have brought them over to leave with 

23 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

you, O, gi'eat King! as a sign of everlasting peace. 0, 
great King ! wliatever words you shall say to me, I will 
tell them faithfully to all the kings of the Creek nations." 

The Indians remained four months in England, and were 
then sent home in a public ship, in which quite a number 
of new colonists embarked. Their visit awakened among 
the English a new interest in the condition of Georgia, and 
an earnest desire to enlighten the Indians. 

The news of the visit of the chiefs to England, and of 
the beautiful and novel presents Avhich they had brought 
home, soon spread all over the two Indian nations, and the 
generous Tomo-chi-chi freely divided his treasures with the 
chiefs who remained at home. So their visit did much to 
perpetuate the friendly relations between the natives and 
the young colony. 

Oglethorpe did not return to Georgia until the next year 
when he brought several hundred emigrants, among them 
two young ministers who afterwards became very famous — 
John Wesley, fresh from Oxford University, and his 
brother, Charles, who was private secretary to Oglethorpe. 
Their special mission was to preach the gospel to the In- 
dians, and improve the moral and religious condition of the 
colony. 

The first Sunday-school in the world was established in 
Savannah, by John Wesley, about two years before Robert 
Raikes was born, and at least fifty years before he began his 
system of teaching poor children on Sunday. 

The Trustees never lost sight of the fact that Georgia 
was a Protestant colony, and in all their deliberations its 
religion was a matter of constant solicitude; indeed, Geor- 
gia exhibited the unique spectacle of allowing no one to 

24 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

settle within her borders who was not judged by competent 
authority to be worthy of the rights of citizenship. Each 
emigrant was subjected to an examination, and had to fur- 
nish satisfactory proof that he was entitled to the benefits 
that the Trustees could confer. 

In 1738, Rev. George Wliitefield, the most eloquent 
divine of his day, came to Georgia. AVhen he visited Ebe- 
nezer, he was so much pleased with the orphan school which 
the Salzburgers had established, that he determined to open 
a similar one for the rest of the colony. For this purpose 
he crossed the Atlantic many times, bringing back a con- 
siderable number of settlers at each voyage. By his fer- 
vent zeal he obtained money, both in England and Amer- 
ica, and the Trustees gave him five hundred acres of land 
in trust for his orphan home, which he established at Be- 
thesda (House of Mercy), a few miles from Savannah. 
Under his fostering care, it flourished greatly, and it still 
exists, the most fitting monument to his memory. 

The civil and military affairs of the colony were entirely 
in the hands of the Trustees, under whom Oglethorpe 
acted; but the immediate government of Ebenezer was 
given to Mr. Bolzius and his colleague, Mr. Grinau, who 
most judiciously managed the settlement. 

The Trustees, at first, made some grave mistakes in gov- 
ernment. They prohibited all trade with the West Indies, 
because their most important article of export was rum. 
They would not permit negroes to be OAvned by any colonist, 
saying that the cost of a negro, which was then about thirty 
pounds, would pay the passage of an emigrant to Georgia, 
supply him with tools, and support him for a year, at the 
end of which time he could earn his own living. But 

25 



GEORGIA L\ND AND PEOPLE. 

they agreed, if they. had to feed both a negro and his master 
for a 3'ear, they would be crippled in their ability to send 
out white settlers who needed homes, to supply Avhich was 
their object in founding the colony. 

Besides these drawbacks, tliere were many military fea- 
tures connected with the government of the colony, mili- 
tary service being required for a certain number of acres of 
land. All these things caused great dissatisfaction among 
the people. The military service involved so many hard- 
ships that not a few emigrants deserted the new colony and 
moved to Xorth Carolina, where the land was held in fee 
simple. 

When the colonists saw their Carolina neighbors growing 
rich with unhampered commerce, and broad fields culti- 
vated by negro labor, their discontent was so great that the 
Trustees were forced to alter those regulations. "When 
they, also, changed their policy as to the tenure of land and 
the introduction of negroes, the prosperity of the colony 
was immediately increased. 

Tifty acres of land were offered to each settler, almost 
witliout money and witliout price. So, emigrants, princi- 
pally Scotch and German, flocked in, and in eight years the 
population increased to more than 25,000. Raw silk wa& 
exported to England, indigo w^as a staple article of produc- 
tion, cotton was being planted as an experiment, and, at 
last, the prosperity of the colony rested on a firm founda- 
tion. , . 



CHAPTER II. 

COLONIAL PERIOD. (Continued). 

England's claim to the territory of Georgia rested upon 
the discovery of Sebastian Cabot, who, under a commission 
from the King, had sailed along the whole eastern coast of 
North America and set up stone crosses at intervals, as 
tokens of possession. 

Spain claimed it as a part of Florida, though the Span- 
iards had never settled except at St. Augustine and a few 
adjacent points. So the two countries, wrangling over this 
tract of land, were in a constant state of irritation. Spain 
looked upon the colonization of Georgia as an intrusion 
upon her rights, and demanded its surrender; England re- 
fusing, she prepared to expel the invaders. 

But there were other sources of discord. Trade with 
Spain was not free, and the English merchants on the coast 
of Florida were constantly violating the Spanish laws in re- 
gard to it; if they were caught and punished, their country- 
men considered them martyrs rather than violators of the 
law of nations. 

An English grievance was, that fugitive slaves from 
Carolina were not only welcomed in Florida, but lands 
were given them as a bribe to run away from the English 
colonies. 

27 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Oglethorpe, foreseeing that war would be declared 
■against Spain, returned to England to obtain soldiers to 
-defend Georgia. 

In less than a year he had returned with six hundred 
men, well equipped and disciplined. So careful was he to 
have his regiment recruited from the respectable classes, 
and with gentlemen of family and character for officers, 
that it was one of the best in the service of the King. To 
attach the enlisted men to the colony which they were to 
■defend, and to induce them eventually to become settlers, 
permission was given each one to take a Avife with him, and 
additional pay and rations were provided for her. 

Oglethorpe was appointed commander-in-chief of all the 
militia forces in Georgia and South Carolina, and hence- 
forth bore the title of General in the colonies. 

At length (1739), England declared war against Spain. 
In July of that year, before war was actually declared, 
Gen. Oglethorpe undertook a very perilous mission, which 
proved to be of the utmost importance to his colony and 
also to the mother country. In view of the conflict which he 
saw was inevitable, he considered the friendship of the In- 
dians of vital consequence, and knew that they should be 
fortified against the endeavors of the Spaniards and French 
to draw them from the allegiance which they acknowledged 
to the British Crov;n. 

The journey was long and dangerous, but the salvation 
of Georgia depended upon the success of his mission, and 
perils could not daunt his brave spirit. It was arranged, 
through the faithful Tomo-chi-chi, that an assembly, com- 
posed of all the principal chiefs among the Georgia tribes, 
and even among those as far west as the Mississippi river, 

28 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

should be held at Coweta — on the Chattahoochee river — the 
most important town in the Creek jSTation. It was several 
hundred miles from Savannah, and days of travelling 
through trackless forests were required to reach it. Gen. 
Oglethorpe took only three men with him besides his ser- 
vants. Some Indian traders, whom he procured at Au- 
gusta, acted as guides. Each night, wrapped in his cloak, 
he lay down to sleep on the ground with his portmanteau for 
a pillow; or, if it happened to be wet, he sheltered himself 
under an arbor made of cypress boughs. 

Forty miles from Coweta he was met by a deputation of 
Chiefs, who escorted him the rest of the way. The Indians 
were greatly pleased that he should have undertaken such 
a long journey to visit them, and he quite won their hearts 
by coming among them with such a small escort, in fear- 
less reliance on their good faith, by accommodating him- 
self readily to their habits, and by his commanding figure 
and dignity of manner. 

In solemn Council, terms were agreed upon that satis- 
fied both Oglethorpe and the Indians. As one of their 
"beloved men," he drank the foskey, or black-medicine 
drink, and smoked with them the calumet, or hallowed pipe 
of peace. This diplomatic exploit was as remarkable as the 
journey. 

"When we call to remembrance," says a Georgia histo- 
rian, "the distance he had to travel through solitary path- 
ways, exposed to summer suns, night dews, and to the treach- 
ery of any single Indian who knew — and every Indian 
knew — the rich reward that would have awaited him for 
the act, from the Spaniards in St. Augustine or the French 
in Mobile, surely we may proudly ask, what soldier ever 

29 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

gave higher proof of courage ? What gentleman ever 
gave greater evidence of magnanimity ? What English 
governor of an American province ever gave such assurance 
of deep devotion to public duty ?" 

The next .year Gen. Oglethorpe was ordered to invade 
Florida, and to call upon South Carolina for aid. So he 
and the adopted son of the lamented Tomo-chi-chi, who had 
recently died, with two thousand men — a portion of whom 
were Creeks — set out on an expedition against St. Augus- 
tine. 

He found it much more strongly fortified and the garri- 
son more numerous than he had expected. He besieged it 
closely for several weeks, but when some Spanish galleys 
succeeded in running the gauntlet and carrying fresh sup- 
plies to the fort, he thought it wise to raise the siege and re- 
tire, as his troops were becoming enfeebled by sickness. 

For two years the Spaniards acted only on the defensive, 
which gave Gen. Oglethorpe time to strengthen his forti- 
fications and prepare for the invasion of Georgia, with 
which the Spaniards retaliated in 1742. They had a for- 
midable land and naval force, consisting of fifty vessels and 
about seven thousand men, under the command of Gen. 
Don Manuel de Montiano, the Governor of St. Augustine. 

They soon appeared off St. Simon's bar, with the inten- 
tion of taking Frederica. This was a time of great peril 
for Georgia, but the heroic spirit of Oglethorpe rose with 
the danger. In writing to the Trustees of the situation of 
the colony, he said : '^We are resolved not to suffer de- 
feat; we will rather die like Leonidas and his Spartans, if 
Ave can but protect Georgia and Carolina and the rest of 
the Amencans from desolation." 

30 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

This time the Governor of South Carolina would render 
no assistance, and Gen. Oglethorpe had to rely upon his 
own resources. His navy consisted of one small ship, two 
guard schooners, and some small trading vessels; these and 
two land batteries at Fort Simon, were his sole dependence 
to dispute the passage with the Spaniards. 

On this occasion he commanded in person, and made a 
gallant defense ; but the Spaniards forced their way up the 
Altamaha river and landed live thousand men, who 
marched back to attack the fort, which, however, had been 
abandoned before their arrival. Their next move was to 
advance upon Frederica, and a detachment was within a 
few miles of the town before they were discovered and the 
alarm given. 

Gen. Oglethorpe immediately attacked them with such 
forces as were at his command — a few rangers and a com- 
pany of Highlanders — and charged with such eifect that 
the enemy were routed. Then he hastened to town for 
additional aid. In his absence, Spanish reinforcements 
poured in, and his men were driven back by a body of 
troops under Don Antonio Barba. The Highlanders, 
under Lieutenants McKay and Sutherland, wheeled aside 
in the retreat, and, concealing themselves in a grove of 
palmettoes, laid in ambush for the pursuing Spaniards, 
whose victory was turned into a crushing defeat. The 
Spanish officers tried to rally their men, but in vain. They 
were in a panic, and orders were uidieeded. Barba was 
taken prisoner, after being mortally wounded. 

This brilliant engagement was known as the Battle of 
Bloody Marsh, and was won by gallant troops against great 
odds: their o'ood fortune was due to generalship and unsur- 
jiassed courage. 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The Spaniards retreated to their camp near Fort Simon, 
and Gen. OgletJiorpe collected all his forces in Frederica. 

Learning of dissensions among the Spanish commanders. 
Gen. Oglethorpe determined to make a night attack upon 
their main body, and. by surprising them in their divided 
state, drive them from the island. He was disappointed in 
carrying out this plan when he was in sight of the enemy's- 
camp, by the desertion to the Spaniards of one of his sol- 
diers, a Frenchman. Knowing that the weakness of his 
little army would be revealed to the enemy, Gen. Ogle- 
thorpe's quick wit found an escape from the threatened 
danger. In order to deceive the Spanish Commander, he 
had recourse to the following stratagem: he liberated a 
prisoner arid gave him a sum of money to carry a letter, and 
give it privately to the French deserter. It was written in 
the French language, and as if from a friend of his, telling 
him to make it appear to the Spaniards that Frederica was 
in a defenseless state, and urge them to attack it at once; 
but if he could not bring on an attack, he must try to per- 
suade them to remain three days longer where they were,, 
as, within that time, six British ships-of-war, with two thou- 
sand troops from Carolina, were expected. 

This letter fell into the hands of Gen. Montiano, as Gen. 
Oglethorpe had hoped it would. The Spaniards were terri- 
bly perplexed over its contents, and the Frenchman put in 
irons as a double spy, though he bitterly denied any knowl- 
edge of why the letter was written, or any intention to be- 
tray the Spaniards. 

While a council of war was deliberating what course tO' 
pursue, three ships did actually come in sight off the bar.. 
The Governor of South (^'arolina had sent them to Gen.. 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

Oglethorpe's assistance. At ouce believing them to be the 
ships mentioned in the letter, the Spaniards, in a moment 
of consternation, burned the fort, hastily embarked, and 
fled. 

The success of Gen. Oglethorpe in this campaign was 
"truly wonderful. With a handful of men, he had defeated 
and baffled a ■^^'ell-equipped army, destroyed some of their 
best troiDps, captured provisions, ammunition and military 
stores, and saved Georgia from a formidable invasion. 

The eloquent Whitefield said : "The deliverance of 
Georgia from the Spaniards is such as can not be paralleled 
but b}'' some instances out of the Old Testament." 

The avowed object of the Spaniards was to exterminate 
the English colonies in America, and if they had succeeded 
in their demonstration against Frederica, all the other col- 
•ouies would have been in danger. Appreciating this, and 
deeply sensible of their obligations to Gen. Oglethorpe, the 
governors of New York, Pennsylvania, ISTew Jersey, Mary- 
land, Virginia and JSTorth Carolina sent him special letters 
■of tlianks and congratulated him on his success. The citi- 
zens of Port Royal also sent congratulations, much to the 
chagrin of the Governor of South Carolina, who was con- 
spicuous by his silence. 

For a long time Gen. Oglethorpe expected the return of 
the enemy, and bent all his energies to repairing damages 
and strengthening his fortifications. In a few months his 
<lefensive works were stronger than ever. The next spring, 
taking a detachment of his troops and a considerable body 
of Creek warriors, he carried the war into Florida. 

St. Augustine was still too strong for him to attack; so, 
rafter compelling the Spaniards to abandon all their ad- 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

vanced outposts and retire within their fortifications, he re- 
turned, having performed the extraordinary march of 
ninety-six miles in four days. This ended his expedition 
against the Spaniards. 

A Charleston merchant, writing to a London correspon- 
dent, under date of August 10th, 1748, says: "Georgia 
is a Gibraltar to this Province and North America, however 
insignificant some People may make it." 

It was five years after Gen. Oglethorpe's last invasion 
of Florida before peace was declared between the contend- 
ing nations, but Georgia was not again seriously disturbed. 

On the 23d of July, 1743, Gen. Oglethorpe left Georgia 
for England, and never again returned, hut to the end of 
his long life he felt the deepest interest in her welfare. 

Thus for ten years had this "Komulus, father and 
founder of Georgia," devoted his time and money to a most 
noble, philanthropic, and patriotic work. 



34 



CHAPTER III. 

COLONIAL PERIOD. (Concluded.) 

Upon Gen. Oglethorpe's departure for England, Mr. 
William Stephens was appointed to take his place, while 
Maj. Horton was left in ciomraand of the Georgia troops 
with his headquarters at Frederica. 

The latter gentleman was one of the most interesting 
characters in the colony. He had been a person of family 
and fortune in England, but, like many others, had been 
ruined by extravagance and forced to seek a new home 
He joined Gen. Oglethorpe's regiment, and, upon his ar- 
rival m Georgia, settled Jekyl island, named by Gen. Ogle- 
thorpe after an eminent lawyer and eloquent "statesman of 
England, Sir Joseph Jekyl. 

He cleared four hundred acres of land, covered with live- 
oaks, and planted ten thousand orange trees, running in 
avenues along the island. The rest of the clearing was 
planted m barley, rye and hops, ^vhich he used in making 
beer and porter for the regiment. 

]Nrot long after this, the Indian woman, Mary, who was 
again a widow, mamed the Rev. Thomas Bosomworth 
who, at one time, was the chaplain of Gen. Oglethorpe's 
regiment. Besides the good service she had rendered the 
colony m concluding treaties with the Creeks, she had also 
obtained their assistance in the war with the Spaniards. 

35 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

However, from tlie time of lier marriage with Mr. Bosom- 
worth, who was then in the employ of the "Society for the 
Propagation of Christian Knowledge/' a great change took 
place in her private character and in her feelings towards 
the colony. 

At the instigation of her husband, she made exorbitant 
demands npon the government for her past services, and 
claimed absolute possession of a vast tract of land, incfiid- 
ing the site of Savannah and the surrounding country. 
She assumed the title of Empress, made a speech to the 
assembled Creeks, over Avhom she held despotic sway, ex- 
plaining to them the justice of her claims, abusing the 
colonists, and threatening them with her vengeance. The 
Indians became terribly excited, and pledged themselves to 
stand by her to the last drop of their blood. 

This trouble seriously imperilled the colony, and it was 
a work of time and embarrassment to convince the Indians 
of the avaricious and unscrupulous character of Mr. Bosom- 
worth. The government did not deny ohat Mary ought to- 
be liberally compensated for her labor and losses in the 
service of the colony, but it had no intention of being swin- 
dled by an unprincipled man. 

After years of negotiation, this vexatious affair was set- 
tled by paying Mary four hundred and fifty pounds for her 
losses, her unpaid salary as government agent and inter- 
preter for sixteen and a half years, and giving her ohe island 
of St. Catherine, as she and her husband had settled it. In 
the meantime, Mr. Bosomworth had been dismissed in dis- 
grace from his public position. 

The house in which the Bosomworths lived on the island, 
stood for nearly one hundred years. It was a very singular 

3G 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

edifice, being wattled witli liickory twigs, and plastered 
within and without with mortar made of lime and sand. It 
was surrounded by spacious piazzas. Here the remainder 
of their lives was spent, and tradition points out the spot 
where this remarkable couple are buried. 

One by one, the pet schemes of the Trustees for the 
regulation of the colony, had been abandoned, and such 
sumptuary laws as forbidding any one to wear gold and 
silver, or to use them in ornamenting furniture or equi- 
pages, had become a dead letter. Trnly, Georgia was strug- 
gling out of her infancy. 

The Trustees had also been disappointed in their expec- 
tations of reaping a golden harvest from vine and silk cul- 
ture, the latter industry having languished after the bounty 
was removed. Then, too, the olive trees and other exotics, 
procured at great expense, withered and died after a short 
life in the public garclen at Savannah. The introduction 
of negro labor, and the increased profits to be derived from 
raising cotton and rice, caused the final abandonment of 
the earlier interests. 

The money used in Georgia at this time was either cop- 
per coins, or notes payable by the Trustees, called Sola hills. 
In 1752, the colony having gro\^m quite beyond their man- 
agement, these Trustees, after twenty years of faithful 
labor, resolved to relieve themselves of this arduous respon- 
sibility, and surrendered their charter to the Crown. Then 
Georgia became a Royal Province, having the same privi- 
leges, regarding land, trade and negroes, as her sister 
colonies. Henceforth the governor was ap])ointed by the 
King, and the laws were made by a legislative body con- 



37 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

sisting of two houses, the upper one appointed by the King, 
the lower house elected by the people. 

The lirst royal governer was Capt. John Reynolds, of 
the British navy. He Avas received with great respect and 
joy when he arrived at Savannah. There was a public 
dinner, and big bonJires at night — the Georgians hoping for 
better days under the new government. 

During his term of otRce, Capt. Reynolds made a tour of 
the southern part of the province, and laid out a town on 
the Ogeechee river, which he named Hardwick, after his 
relative, the Lord High Chancellor of England. He rec- 
ommended it as a fit place for the seat of government, as it 
was more central than Savannah. However, as the home 
government never furnished him any money to improve it, 
Hardwick was never any more than a small village. 

During this administration, two transports from Nova 
Scotia, having on board four hundred French Catholics, 
arrived at Savaimah. It was against the law of Georgia 
for them to settle within her territory, but, to the honor of 
the Governor, he received them kindly. It was too late in 
the season for them to go iS^orth, and their provisions were 
nearly exhausted, so they were distributed about the prov- 
ince, and maintained at the public expense until the follow- 
ing spring, when they departed. Gov. Reynolds did not 
come up to the public expectation, being so tyrannical and 
unpopuhu" that he was removed in his third year, and Henry 
Ellis, a learned scientist, appointed to succeed him. 

Among other demonstrations, when Gov. Ellis reached 
Savannah, a band of schoolboys, who had formed them- 
selves into a military company, tendered him a welcome. 
When they paraded before him, he complimented them 

38 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

upon their soldierly appearance and well executed manoeu- 
vres. The little captain made the following speech : "Sir, 
the youngest militia of this province, presume, by their 
Captain, to salute your Honor on your arrival. Although 
we are of too tender years to comprehend the blessing a 
good government is to a province, our parents will, doubt- 
less, experience it, in its utmost extent, and their grateful 
tale shall fix your name dear in our memories." 

Mild but finn, Gov. Ellis' term of office was like "the 
<3alm hour of sunshine after a tempest has blackened the 
sky." He was an old man when he came to Georgia, and 
the climate did not agree with him, so he resigned, and was 
succeeded by Sir James Wright. 

During all this time, settlements were being made in dif- 
ferent parts of the province, the most important being that 
of Midway District, with its seaport, Sunbury, beautifully 
situated on the Midway river. By far the greater num- 
ber of these settlers were men of education and wealth, who 
took a prominent part in the future history of Georgia. 

A new era of prosperity had dawned for the Province 
when the treat}' of Paris once more diffused the sunlight 
of peace over Europe, and as Elorida was ceded to Great 
Britain, there was no longer a jealous, intriguing neighbor 
■on Georgia's southern frojjtjer. The two provinces now 
had the same interests ai)4 acknowledged the same king. 
1'hen, too, Georgia's territory was more clearly defined, ex- 
tending on the west to the Mississippi river. 

As it was thought necessary to acquaint the Indians with 
these changes, a convention was held at Augusta, composed 
of the governors of Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro- 
lina and Georgia, and representative chiefs from all the 

39 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

tribes between the Altamalia and Mississippi rivers. Gov. 
Wright presided over the convention. 

The Indians renewed tlieir fealty to England, and the 
lower Creeks, for a consideration agreed upon, gave t& 
Georgia a large portion of the territory lying on the coast, 
between the Altaniaha and Savannah rivers. When thi& 
important treaty was concluded, the fact "was announced 
by a salute from the guns from ^ort Augusta." 

Gov. Wright showed something of the wisdom of Gen.. 
Oglethorpe in dealing with the Indians, and. insured ami- 
cable rel.ations for many years by making stringent laws to 
regulate the conduct of traders in their intercourse with 
them. 

Ten years later, by, a treaty with the upper Creeks and 
Cherokees, Georgia acquired land amounting to nearly two 
and a half millions of acres, com])rising the territory now 
embraced by the counties of Wilkes, Lincoln, Taliaferro,. 
Greene and Oglethorpe. 

At this time the Province was divided into twelve par- 
ishes, with Savannah the capital and commercial metrop- 
olis; Augusta was a growing village, and all the forts in the 
Province had been strengthened by the energetic Governor. 

Emigrants still continued to arrive, attracted by the salu- 
brious climate, the fertile soil, and the field and forest that 
so abundantly rcAvarded the laborer's toil. 

There can he no doubt that the chief cause of Georgia's 
prosperity while a coiony, was her landed policy, called 
headrights, which gave tw^o hundred acres of land to each 
head of a family, and fifty more to each child. There was 
no charge, except the cost of survejdng, and the tiller of the 
soil was the owner of the land. When the headright land 

40 



COLONIAL PERIOD. 

courts were opened in Augusta and Petersburg, after the 
land above mentioned was obtained from the Cherokees,^ 
there were, on the first day, more than three thousand ap- 
plicants for land. 

Is it any wonder that Georgia increased more rapidly in 
population than any of her twelve sister colonies ? At the 
end of her colonial existence, she conld boast of having ac- 
quired nearly three times as many people as any of the 
other colonies during the same period. The landless of 
other countries and other colonies came in great numbers to 
obtain a home where they could own the soil they culti- 
vated. It has been said of this policy of Georgia that : "It 
put the crown of industrial glory on her head and the rock 
of conscious independence beneath her feet." 

Georgia was now exporting rice, indigo and skins to Eu- 
rope, and lumber, horses and provisions to the West Indies. 
Tobacco was cultivated with great success by tEe settlers 
from Virginia, and all the necessaries of life were easily 
raised on her soil. There was one newspaper in the Prov- 
ince, called the "Georgia" Gazette," which was issued every 
Thursday at Savannah. 

Communication with the mother country was a work of 
time, as it was by means of small sailing-vessels. So, when 
King George 11. died, it was nearly four months before the 
news reached Savannah. Then the Legislature, which was 
in session, was immediately adjourned, and funeral honors 
paid him; after this, his grandson, George III., was saluted 
as king, with all the pomp and ceremony that their means 
allowed. This was the first and only time a king was pro- 
claimed on Georgia soil. 



41 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

This restful condition of the colony did not long con- 
tinue. The obnoxious Stamp Act, and other measures 
adopted by the mother country to force the American col- 
onies to assist in paying her enormous war debt, caused a 
spirit of resistance in Georgia that became more and more 
intense, until the tocsin of war was soimded in 1776. 



42 



CHAPTER IV. 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 



AVhen the American colonies of Great Britain decided 
to rebel against the home authority because they were 
taxed without representation, Georgia, though the yoimg- 
est, was the most prosperous of them all, and had the fewest 
inducements to take part in the revolution that was impend- 
ing. 

Many of her influential and wealthy citizens were op- 
posed to severing the connection with their motlier country, 
trusting to the sense of justice in the members of Parlia- 
ment to correct the grievances of wliich they complained; 
but the majority saw that freedom could only be purchased 
by perfect independence of England. These men were 
called "Liberty Boys," prominent among whom were 
Joseph Habersham and Noble Wimberly Jones, whose 
fathers remained true to their allegiance to the CrowTi. 

It was the principle of right and justice involved in this 
quarrel that made Georgians feel that the cause of the 
other colonies was their own ; and they lost no time in mani- 
festing their sympathy, and in preparing to take an active 
part in the coming struggle. 

(jov. Wright was an ardent royalist and resented any ef- 
fort to lessen the authority of the King or to resist the 
measures of Parliament, and this rendered him very ob- 

43 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE, 

noxious to the "Liberty Boys." In a letter to the home- 
government he spoke of "their strange enthusiastic ideas of 
liberty and power"; but, to his credit be it said, he was 
always the courteous gentleman, and was never betrayed 
into any act of violence or revenge because he differed, in 
political opinion, with many of his people. 

After the battles of Lexington and Concord, in Massa- 
chusetts, the greatest need of the jSTorthern Revolutionists 
was powder, and a band of "Liberty Boys" determined 
to help them by seizing the magazine in Savannah, which 
was thought to be such a substantial structure that it was 
never guarded. For this purpose, Joseph Habersham, Ed- 
ward Telfair, William Gibbons, Joseph Clay, John Mil- 
ledge, and a few otliers, met at the house of Noble "Wim- 
berly Jones and hastily arranged a plan of action. Late 
one night they broke open the magazine, and took away 
six hundred pounds of gunpowder. A part of it was sent 
to South Carolina for safe-keeping, and the rest hidden in 
the garrets and cellars of their homes. 

The Governor offered £150 reward for the offenders, but 
so patriotic were the citizens of Savannah that the reward 
was nev^er claimed, though the guilty parties w-ere well 
known. Some of this very powder was shipped to I he 
Revolutionists in Mas-achusetts and used at the memorable 
battle of Bunker LLll. 

By his love of liberty, Mr. Noble Wimberly Jones, so 
prominent on this occasion, had already made himself 
odious to Gov. Wright, who refused to recognize him as 
Speaker of the Lower House of the Legislature when he 
was elected to that office. Twice was he elected, and tmce 
did the Governor refuse him. For the third time he was. 

44 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

•chosen, and only when he patriotically declined to serve, 
was Mr. Bulloch elected in his stead. 

The citizens of Savannah had previously shown their 
indignation against the King, when they spiked all the 
cannon and threw them down the bluff, a night or two be- 
fore his Majesty's birthday, 1775, that the usual ceremo- 
nies might not be performed; but the indomitable will of 
the Governor caused a few of the spikes to be drawx with 
great difficulty, the guns remounted, and the ro^^al birth- 
day kept with the usual formalities. 

It was on this occasion, while the royalists were cele- 
brating the day, that the first Liberty Pole was erected in 
Georgia in front of Tondee's Tavern, whose long room was 
the famous meeting place of the "Liberty Boys." 

This same year (1775) a memorable Congress was held 
in Savannah, on the 4th of July. It was composed of rep- 
resentatives from the twelve parishes into which Georgia 
was then divided. They set forth their grievances in plain 
terms; expressed their abhorrence of tyranny, their sym- 
pathy with the miserable condition of their sister colonies, 
and sent respectful addresses both to the King and the Gov- 
ernor. 

The latter would not condescend to take any notice of the 
one addressed to him, as he did not consider the Congress 
legal. A wave of liberty was sweeping over the Province, 
ind, though he did all in his power to oppose the tide, he 
was powerless to stem it. 

This Congress practically annulled the operation of the 
objectionable acts of Parliament within the limits of Geor- 
gia, questioned the supremacy of the Crown, and inaugu- 
rated the measures that ultimately elevated the Province 

into the dignity of a State. 

45 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

This body of sterling patriots, whose presiding officer 
was Archibald Bulloch, issued an order to capture an 
English vessel loaded with powder that had been sent over 
to Savannah for the use of the Royalists. A Georgia 
schooner, assisted by some barges from South Carolina, was 
successful in attacking and capturing the vessel oif Tybee 
roads. Georgia's share of the powder was nine thousand 
pounds, five thousand of which was sent to the Continental 
Congress for the use of the revolutionists at the ]S^orth. 

This Georgia Congress was the first one in America ta 
order the seizure of English property; and the Georgia 
schooner was the first vessel commissioned to fight in the 
Kevolutionary war. 

The first bold revolutionary act in Georgia was the im- 
prisonment of Gov. Wright. Joseph Habersham, a "Lib- 
erty Boy," and Major of the Georgia Battalion, volunteered 
his services to make the arrest. He was only twenty-four 
years old, but a man of remarkable decision of character, 
and possessing moral as well as physical courage. With a 
company, selected by himself, he went to the Governor's 
house, where he was engaged in conference with his Coun- 
cil. Leaving his companions. Major Habersham passed 
the sentinel at the door, and, boldly entering the Gov- 
ernor's presence, laid his hand upon his shoulder, saying: 

"Sir James, you are my prisoner." 

The members of the Council, thunderstruck at this dar- 
ing act, and not knowing what force he had, or what might 
happen, fled precipitately from the house and left tlie Gov- 
ernor alone. Major Habersham allowed him to remain as 
a prisoner in his own house on his solemn promise not to 
leave it, or to hold any communication with the officers or 

46 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

soldiers on the British ships then lying in Tjbee roads. A 
guard was placed around the mansion to prevent any com- 
iQunication from outside. 

Gov. Wright was intensely mortified at his situation, and 
one night, a month after his arrest, found means to effect 
his escape through a back door, and made his way to a 
friend in Bonaventure, four miles from Savannah, where 
a boat was waiting for him, by which he was taken to one 
of the armed ships lying at the mouth of the Savannah 
river. ISTot long afterwards he returned to England, and 
kingly rule in Georgia came to an end. 

In January, the Provincial Congress was again assem- 
bled in Savannah. They elected five members to the Con- 
tinental Congress then in session in Philadelphia, three of 
whom served. 

The famous Declaration of Independence, of July the 
4th, 1776, was signed on behalf of Georgia by three men 
that the State has delighted to honor, Button Gwinnett, 
Lyman Hall, and George Walton. Each one of these men 
has his name given to a county, and thus has Georgia per- 
petuated the remembrance of their services. 

So slow was communication between the colonies, that it 
was the second week in August before the news of what 
had been done in Philadelphia on that memorable 4th of 
July, reached Savannah, where is was hailed with wild de- 
light. 

The Declaration of Independence was read for the first 
time in Georgia by Archibald Bulloch, the Governor, to 
his Council, and then to a large audience at the Liberty 
Pole. After the reading, the Georgia Battalion discharged 
their field pieces and fired in platoons. Then the crowd 

47 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

proceeded to the battery at the Trustees' gardens, where 
the famous document was read for the third time, and the 
cannon was fired. 

Gov. Bulloch and other officials, with the militia, had a 
grand dinner out of doors, under the shadow of the cedar 
trees, and this was the toast they drank: "To the United 
Pree and Independent States of America." 

At night the town was illuminated, and there was a 
greater mass of people assembled than was ever before seen 
on any occasion in Georgia. The "Liberty Boys" buried 
the King in effigy. They had a solemn funeral procession, 
attended by the military with muffled drums and fifes, and 
laid him in a grave before the court-house, Avhile one of 
their number read the following service over him: "For 
as much as George the third of Great Britain hath most fla- 
grantly violated his Coronation Oath, and trampled upon 
the Constitution of our country and the sacred rights of 
mankind: we, therefore, commit his political existence to 
the ground — corruption to corruption — tyranny to the 
grave — and oppression to eternal infamy; in sure and cer- 
tain hope that he will never obtain a resurrection to rule 
again over these United States of America. But my 
friends and fellow-citizens, let us not be sorry, as men with- 
out hope, for Tyrants that thus depart — rather let us re- 
member, America is free and independent; that she is, and 
will be, with, the blessing of the Almighty, great among 
the nations of the earth. Let this encourage us in well- 
doing, to fight for our rights and privileges, for our wives 
and children, for all that is near and dear unto us. May 
•God give us His blessing and let all the people say. Amen !" 



48 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

This was the most memorable day Georgia had seen 
since the little colony was planted on Yamacraw Bluff. 

Thus boldly did Georgia cast off the yoke of Great 
Britain and bravely face a war with one of the mightiest 
empires in Christendom. 

Gov. Bulloch did not live to see the issue of the coming 
struggle; in less than a year he died. lie had a fine figure, 
and was one of the handsomest men in Georgia. It had 
always been the custom to keep a sentinel at the Governor's 
door, so when Archibald Bulloch was elected Chief Magis- 
trate, Col. Lachlan Mcintosh, commander of the troops 
in Savannah, ordered Mr. Belshazzer Shaffer, a prominent 
Hebrew citizen, to be posted there as sentinel. Mr. Bulloch 
requested him to be removed, saying: ''I act for a free 
people, in whom I have the most entire confidence, and I 
wdsh to avoid, on all occasions, the appearance of ostenta- 
tion." 

The Salzburgers at Ebenezer, in these stirring times, 
were true to their adopted country. They said : "We have 
experienced the evils of tyranny in our native country; for 
the sake of liberty, we have left home, lands, houses, es- 
tates, and have taken refuge in the wilds of Georgia ; shall 
we now, again, submit to bondage ? No ! we will not !" 

During the war that followed, their much-loved church 
was converted into a stable by the British soldiers, though 
sometimes, also, used as a hospital for their sick and 
wounded. 

AVhen the war was over, the church was repaired, and 
the Salzburgers again gathered for worship under its holy 
roof. 

4g 49 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

When it became plaiu to all men that war was inevi- 
table, South Carolina sent a delegation to Georgia, pro- 
posing that, as her population and resources were small, 
Georgia had better place herself under her jurisdiction. 
Brave little Georgia treated this suggestion with contempt. 

Georgia, though the youngest and weakest of the colo- 
nies, on all occasions acted a most generous part towards all 
the 'others. Before the fighting began in Georgia, pr<.- 
visions and money were frequently sent to the North to be 
used for the benefit of those whom the British had driven 
from their homes. At one time, five hundred and seventy- 
nine ban-els of rice were sent to the poor in Boston. 

It is impossible, in this small volume, to mention all the 
heroes of 1776, so let it be a sacred duty of our youth to 
read the larger histories of our beloved State, and thus 
make themselves familiar with the actions of those gallant 
men who stood by Georgia in the hour of her greatest need. 



50 



CHAPTER V. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. (Continued.) 

During the war that followed the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, Georgia was almost immediately overrun by 
British troops; and many of her principal citizens and their 
families were often obliged to flee from home for their lives. 
The British, by giving the Indians costly presents, en- 
ticed many of them to fight under their flag. Then there 
were citizens of Georgia who deserted the standard of free- 
dom and joined the enemy; these were called Tories. Thus 
Georgia had three foes to combat — the British, the Indians, 
and the Tories. The patriots were called Whigs. In the 
mother country, the two great political parties, at that time, 
A\ere the Whigs, who were opposed to allowing the King 
absolute power, and the Tories, who were in favor of it: 
these characteristic names were adopted by all the Ameri- 
can colonies. 

Besides all this war trouble, Georgia had to frame a con- 
stitution which would define her rights as an independent 
State. This was done in Savannah the otli of February, 
]777; and a law was made by which a governor, bearing 
the title of Honorable, should be elected annually by the 
people. Parishes were abolished and counties made, in- 
stead. It has been a pleasant custom in naming the coun- 
ties in Georgia, to remember the debt of gratitude which 
the State owed to her famous sons, to those friends in 

51 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

England avIio espoused the cause of justice, humanity and 
liberty, and to foreigners who assisted in the war for inde- 
pendence. 

Scarcely had Georgia assumed the position of an inde- 
pendent State when the King's troops, assisted by some 
Tories and Indians, made an incursion from Florida and 
attacked Fort Mcintosh on the St. Ilia river. This post 
was in command of Capt. Richard Winn, a young officer 
who had distinguished himself in the defense of the Fort 
on Sullivan's island in South Carolina. His garrison con- 
sisted of only sixty men, and they gallantly repulsed the 
enemy after a five-hours fight; then, unable to get re- 
inforcements, they were, the next day, compelled to sur- 
render, forcing the British commander to give them good 
terms. They left two of their men with the enemy as 
hostages; these two gentlemen were taken to St. Augus- 
tine and confined in the castle there for nine months. 

The news of the capture of Fort Mcintosh spread like 
wildfire over the State, and men flocked to the standard of 
Col. Mcintosh, who was already advancing to the Altamaha 
river. 

Gen. Howe, at Charleston, who was in command of the 
Continental troops of the Southern Department, was noti- 
fied of the invasion of Georgia, and at once went to Sa- 
vannah ; but, before his strong detachment could be brought 
into action, Col. Mcintosh had met the enemy, who, sur-. 
prised at this unexpected demonstration, abandoned the en- 
terprise and retreated into the heart of Florida. It was not 
expected that the British would so easily give up their de- 
sign, and preparations were made to meet a second in- 



52 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

vasion. A large proportion of the militia were ordered 
into service, and a camp was formed at Midway Church. 

Button Gwinnett, who was now governor of Georgia, 
conceived the ambitious project of following the enemy into 
Florida, both with the militia and continental troops, and 
thus signalize his administration by a feat of arms. This 
scheme, planned without due caution, failed entirely, and 
was of no benefit to the State. 

Not long after this, a very unfortunate affair occurred. 
There had been enmity for some time between Gov. Gwin- 
nett and Lachlan Mcintosh, who was now a general, and it 
resulted in a duel. They met near Savannah, fought with 
pistols at the distance of twelve paces, and were both se- 
riously wounded. 

Gen. Mcintosh recovered, but Gov. Gwinnett died 
twelve days after the combat. His death caused great ex- 
citement, and, although Gen. Mcintosh was acquitted at 
his trial, the friends of Gov. Gwinnett used every oppor- 
tunity to hinder him in military service; he left his State 
and offered himself to Gen. Washington, who at once as- 
signed him to duty with the Continental army. Though 
he rendered signal service in the common cause for nearly 
two years, his heart was always with his own State and 
people. 

Col. Samuel Elbert was now put in command of the 
troops in Georgia. Even thus early in the war, Georgia 
was in a bad condition. The paper money, which for a 
while was accepted at par, had depreciated in value, and 
people did not like to take it in exchange for produce ; the 
southern frontier was unguarded; the long seacoast was 
without any proper defense; all the forts erected under Gen. 
Oglethorpe were in ruins, and provisions were so scarce 

53 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

that Gov. Treutlen forbade the exportation of corn, rice, 
flour or anything that could be used as food for the support 
of the soldiers. 

The Continental Congress liad done all that it could to 
aid Georgia, by raising two battalions to serve in the State, 
and by sending four galleys for the defense of the sea- 
coast. 

The Tories, with a cruelty that would have disgraced 
savages, plundered, burnt and murdered in the sparsely 
populated districts which could offer no resistance. They 
had a safe hiding-place with the King's troops in Florida. 

It was a favorite scheme of the Georgia authorities to 
capture St. Augustine and thus remove a thorn from the 
side of the State. A dream that was never realized. 

In 1778 Great Britain sent three commissioners to Amer- 
ica — the Earl of Carlisle, Sir Henry Clinton, and Mr. 
William Eden — to treat with the Continental Congress, 
and see if the present difficulties could not be arranged ; but 
it was too late then for fair words, and nothing but absolute 
freedom from the dominion of the mother country would 
now satisfy the insulted colonies. 

This year closed the active fighting by large armies in the 
Northern and Middle States, and the scene shifted to the 
South, where the principal fighting was done until the war 
ended. 

Early in the approaching winter, the British massed their 
forces, hoping speedily to crush both South Carolina and 
Georgia. They decided that our State should be invaded 
from Florida by Gen. Augustine Prevost, and that Col. 
Archibald Campbell should sail from ISTew York with two 
thousand men and a fleet, to attack Savannah, which was 

54 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

guarded by Gen. Eobert Howe with about nine hundred 
Continental troops. Thus attacked both by land and sea, 
it was confidently hoped that Georgia would be completely 
subdued and glad to submit to the absolute rule of King 
G eorge. 

To prevent Gen. Howe at Savannah from suspecting 
their plans, Gen. Prevost sent out two expeditions from St. 
Augustine; one by sea, undecioammand of Col. Fuser, to 
attack Sunbury, and the other by land under Col. Prevost, 
who was to march through the lower portions of Georgia, 
laying waste the country as he went, and then join Col. 
Fuser. 

Col. Prevost set out on his expedition with one hundred 
soldiers, and v/hen he reached the Altamaha river was re- 
inforced by the Tory, Col. McGirth, with a troop three 
hundred strong, a part of whom were Indians. On their 
march they took as prisoner, every "Whig who was found 
on his plantation, and carried off every article of value on 
which they could lay their hands. 

At Bulltown swamp and ISTorth Newport Bridge (after- 
wards called Riceborough Bridge), the patriots gathered 
to dispute the advance of the Red Coats, but the ]*esistance 
made by hastily collected militia was too feeble to retard 
the invading force. 

In the meantime, Col. John White, with one himdred 
men and two pieces of light artillery, was posted at Mid- 
way Church, where he had constructed a slight breastwork 
across the road, hoping to keep Col. Prevost in check until 
reinforcements could arrive from Savannah. 

A fleet messenger was sent to Col. Elbert to inform him 
of the danger, and Maj. William Baker^ with his mounted 

55 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

militia, skirmished with the enemy at every possible point 
that would impede his progress. 

It was in a skirmish one mile and a half from the church 
that Col. Scriven was severely wounded, and, falling into 
the hands of the enemy, was killed in retaliation for the 
murder of the royalist, Capt. Moore, in Florida. 

Col. Scriven was renowned for his patriotism, and be- 
loved for his virtues. Uteut, Thomas Glascock, a gallant 
young olBcer, was by his side when he fell, and very nar- 
rowly escaped being captured. 

Later on, in this same action, a cannon ball passed 
through the neck of Col. Provost's horse, and both horse 
and rider fell to the ground. The commander of the ar- 
tillery, thinking the British officer was killed, quickly ad- 
vanced his two field pieces to take advantage of the con- 
fusion that followed, and Maj. James Jackson, imagining 
that the Ked Coats were retreating, shouted "victory!" 
Col. Prevost was uninjured by his fall, and, speedily re- 
mounting, collected his men and advanced with such force 
that Col. White had to retreat. 

The British did not advance more than six or seven miles 
beyond Midway Church, for the Tory, Col. McGirth. who 
well knew that part of the country, reconnoitering with a 
strong party, discovered that Col. Fuser had not arrived 
before Suubury. This fact, and the knowledge that Col. 
White and Col. Elbert had united their forces at Ogeechee 
ferry and were prepared to dispute his further progress, de- 
termined hira to abimdon his enterprise and return to St. 
Augustine. 

Much of tlie labor of throwing up the breastworks at the 
ferry \vas done by Mr. Savage's negroes. The ties of in- 

56 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

terest and afiection between the negroes and their masters 
had already grown into a strong bond, and, in many cases 
that have never been made public, negroes rendered timely 
aid to their masters' families in the hour of need. 

Before Col. Prevost started on his return to Florida, he 
burnt Midway Church and all the houses wdthin his reach. 
The entire region he traversed was marked by smok- 
ing ruins, and the inhabitants were subjected to insults 
and indignities. Everything that could be carried away — 
plate, clothing and bedding — was stolen by the British sol- 
diers and the Tories. Col. Elbert had sent Maj. John Hab- 
ersham to propose to Col. Prevost some general arrange- 
ment by which that region might be protected from pillage 
and conilagration. The British officer refused to make 
any terms for the security of the country, saying that the 
inhabitants had voluntarily brought the trouble upon them- 
selves by rebelling against their lawful sovereign. 

The British showed unusual severity against Liberty 
county, because its citizens had been so active in resisting 
the oppressions of the mother country. They made im- 
mense sacrifices for freedom, and endured every hardship 
that can be imagined. Both the British and Tories robbed 
their houses, destroyed their beds and clothing, and, worst 
of all, burned down their venerated church (Midway), 
broke open the tombs in the churchyard, and scattered their 
contents to the winds. Is it any wonder that the citizens of 
Liberty county were distinguished for their implacable ha- 
tred to tyrants? 

Their pastor, Eev. Moses Allen, chaplain to the Georgia 
brigade, had exposed himself to the particular resentment 
of the British, by his patriotic exhortations from the pulpit 

57 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

and his animated exertions on the battle-field; on that ac- 
count he was denied the privilege of a parole when he was 
taken prisoner at the fall of Savannah. He was put on 
l)oard a prison ship, and, in trying to regain his libetry by 
swimming to land, was drowned. His body was found by 
his friends when it was washed ashore, and they asked the 
captain of a British vessel to let them have some boards to 
make a cofRn, but such was the captain's vindictive spirit 
that he refused, and their beloved pastor was denied the 
right of common burial. 

Thus was the patriotism of the people tried, but they 
never faltered in the work they had set themselves to do — 
fight until they forced the British to recognize the inde- 
pendence of Georgia. 



rs 



CHAPTER VI. 

KEVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. (Continued ) 

Col. Prevost was retreating from Georgia, and beyond 
reach of easy communication, when Col. Fuser, having 
been detained by head winds, arrived in front of Sunbury. 
The town was unprotected, except by the small garrison 
that held Fort Morris, the most important fortification con- 
structed by the State during the war. The Fort was in 
command of Col. John Mcintosh, with one hundred and 
twenty-seven continental troops, and some militia and citi- 
zens from the town, all numbering less than two hundred. 

The enemy had five hundred men with battering cannon, 
light artillery and mortars. 

Col. Fuser at once demanded the surrender of the Fort. 
Col Mcintosh returned the memorable answer : ''Come and 
take it!" 

At this time, there were four different armies threaten- 
ing our State: one from ]S^ew York, under the command 
of Col. Archibald Campl)ell ; one from Florida, under Col. 
Prevost; one under Gen. Augustine Prevost, which had 
not yet taken the field, and the one under Col. Fuser, who, 
instead of attacking Sunl)ury, hesitated and waited for news 
of the movements of Col. Prevost. 

59 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

To all the threats of the enemy to bring destrnction upom 
the country, Col. Mcintosh boldly answered: ''AVe have 
no property, compared with the object we contend for, that. 
we value a rush." And when it was threatened that a 
house should be burned for every shot fired from the Fort, 
his answer was that he would apply the torch to his end of 
the town, whenever Col. Fuser fired it on the other side,, 
'^and let the flames meet in mutual conflagration." For 
his cool bravery on this occasion, the Legislature voted him 
a sword with the words, '^Come and take it!'' engraved 
upon it. 

"When Col. Fuser learned that Col. Prevost was too far 
ofi' to render him any assistance, surprised and chagrined, 
he raised tVie siege, retreated from Sunbury and went tO' 
Frederica, having received instructions to thoroughly re- 
pair the military works at that point. 

As soon as possible. Gen. Howe collected his forces and 
marched to Sunbury, which he found in a very defenseless 
condition, and owing its safety entirely to the spirited con- 
duct of the troops in the Fort. 

The ruins of the old Fort can still be seen at Sunbury. 

Gen. Howe memorialized Congress upon the danger that 
threatened the Georgia coast, and upon the lack of men 
and ammunition; but he did little more for our State, as he 
was deflcient in the ability necessary to best utilize the 
limited resources at hand. It was decided, finally, that all 
available forces should be concentrated at Purrysburg, a 
town some miles above Savannah, on the Carolina side of 
the river, so that they could advance to the relief of any 
threatened point. 



60 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

Col. Owen Roberts, with his artillery, was hastily sent 
to Savannah, which was in an unprotected condition, with 
ity land approaches entirely open to the enemy. At its 
eastern, extremity there was a battery with a few mounted 
guns, which, however, only bore upon the river. 

Early in December, 1778, the alarming news reached 
Georgia that Col. Campbell, with his fleet, and Gen. Au- 
gustine Prevost, with all their forces, were on their way to 
attack Savannah and overrun the State. Gen. Howe was 
at once notified, the militia hastily summoned to the field, 
and all the public records packed and moved to a place of 
safety. 

The report was only too true, and the first vessels belong- 
ing to the British fleet soon made their appearance at Tybee, 
The squadron was commanded by Commodore Sir Hyde 
Parker. Preparatory to their attack on Savannah, a por- 
tion of the British landed at Brewton's Hill, less than two 
miles from the city. 

On the morning of the 29th of December, when Col. El- 
bert, who had command of the Georgia brigade, discovered 
the enemy in the act of landing there, he called the atten- 
tion of Gen. Howe to the importance of the position, of- 
fering , as he had an intimate acquaintance with the locality, 
to take his command and prevent the British from getting 
possession. Gen. Howe committed the fatal blunder of re- 
jecting this offer. 

It was the best position for defense in the whole neigh- 
borhood; a regiment posted there, with a few pieces of ar- 
tillery could easily have destroyed an advancing enemy. 
It was the key to Savannah, and when Col. Campbell ef- 
Jected a lodgment there the fate of the city was sealed. 

61 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Gen. Howe formed his line of battle across the road lead- 
ing from Brewton's Hill and Thunderbolt to Savannah; 
his strength was only six or seven hundred men, some of 
them very raw troops. He waited there for the approacli 
of the British, who were two or three thousand strong, led 
by Col. Campbell, a brave and experienced officer. 

Col, George Walton, who led about one hundred Geor- 
gia militia in this fight, warned Gen. Howe that there was 
a private path through the swamp on their left, by means of 
which the enemy could gain their rear, and Tirged him to 
have it properly guarded; but he neglected this warning as 
he had that of Col. Elbert. 

Col. Campbell, more alert, heard from an old negro of 
the private way, and for a small reward had his troops con- 
ducted through the swamp, surprised Gen. Howe's army 
by attacking it both in the front and rear, and making a 
vigorous charge all along his line. The little Georgia army 
soon gave way, and Gen. Howe ordered a retreat which was 
made in great confusion. 

As soon as Commodore Parker perceived this success of 
the British, he moved his small armed-vessels up to Savan- 
nah, captured the shipping at the wharves, and cut the town 
off from all communication with South Ca^rolina. Gen. 
Howe did not stop in his retreat, until he crossed^ the river, 
thus leaving Georgia without any continental troops, and 
at the mercy of the British. 

In this engagement, so disastrous to the patriots, the 
British loss was only one captain and two privates killed, 
and one sergeant and nine privates wounded. 

When Savannah was taken, many brutal outrages were 
committed by tlie British officers and privates. Some of 

62 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

the citizens who were not in the engagement at Brewton's 
Hill were bayoneted in' the streets, and those who refused 
to enlist in the King's sez*vice were placed on prison-ships, 
where their sufferings were terrible. 

Among the victims consigned by British vengeance to 
a horrible confinement, was the venerable Jonathan Bryan, 
now bending beneath the weight of years and infirmities. 
When his daughter entreated Commodore Parker to miti- 
gate his sufferings, she was dismissed with vulgar rudeness 
and contempt. The venerable patriot was finally ex- 
changed, and afterwards, although eighty years old, fought 
under Gen. Wayne. 

A prominent Hebrew patriot, Mr. Sheftall, was impris- 
oned in a guard-house in company with drunken soldiers 
and negroes, without a morsel of food for two days, and was 
then transferred to a prison-ship. Two Hebrew ladies, 
Mrs. Judy Minis and her mother, were such outspoken 
Whigs that they were confined to their home, and finally 
ordered to leave the town. 

A colony of this ancient race had settled in Savannah a 
few months after it was founded, coming over in the second 
ship that left England for Georgia, and bringing with them 
the sacred books of the Law, which are still used in the syn- 
agogue at Savannah. They were devoted and patriotic 
citizens, and always stood gallantly by their adopted coun- 
try in her hour -of need. Their wanderings and persecu- 
tions before they reached this haven of safety, add another 
chapter to the romance with which the first settlement of 
our State is invested. An illustration of this is the 



63 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 
HISTORY OF THE NUNEZ FAMIT;Y. 

Dr. Samuel ISTunez belonged to a distinguished family in 
Lisbon, was a physician of eminence, and had an extensive 
practice, even during the period when the Hebrews of that 
city were under the surveillance of the Inquisition. Jeal- 
ousy and rivalry caused him to be denounced before that 
dreaded tribunal, as a result of which he and his family 
were arrested as heretics and thrown into the dungeons. 

At that time, the Hebrews were not permitted openly to 
engage in their religious rites. They had no synagogues or 
placfes of public worship, but assembled for devotional pur- 
poses at the houses of each other. Their prayer books were 
concealed in the seats of chairs, which opened by springs. 

It had been long observed that these families never ven- 
tured abroad on Friday evenings, as that was the prepara- 
tion time for their Sabbath ; suspicions were thus awakened 
as to their real faith, though, for form's sake, they all at- 
tended mass. The familiars of the Inquisition, who were 
usually spies, were set to work to discover the nature of 
their Saturday gatherings. Detecting them at worship, 
they were all thrown into prison and their prayerbooks 
seized. 

Dr. Nunez was a most popular man, and physician to the 
Grand Inquisitor, who did all in his power to alleviate the 
sufferings of the ISTunez family; but one member of it — 
Abby De Lyon, who died in Savannah — carried to her 
grave the marks of the ropes on her wrists when put to the 
question. 

They remained in prison for some time, but, as the medi- 
cal services of Dr. Nunez were very much in demand in 

G4 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

Lisbon, the Ecclesiastical Council, under the advice of the 
Grand Inquisitor, agreed to set his entire household at lib- 
erty, on condition that two officials of the Inquisition should 
reside constantly in the family, to guard against their again 
relapsing into Judaism. 

The doctor had a large and elegant mansion on the banks 
of the Tagus. Being a man of considerable fortune, he 
often entertained the principal families of Lisbon. On a 
pleasant summer day, he invited a party to dinner, and 
among the guests was the captain of an English brigantine 
which was anchored at some distance down the river. 

While amusing themselves on the lawn, the captain invited 
the family and a few guests to go with him on board his 
vessel and partake of luncheon. The spies of the Inquisi- 
tion were among the guests who accompanied them, and 
while all were below in the cabin, enjoying the hospitality 
of the captain, anchor was weighed and the sails .unfurled. 
There being a fair. wind, the brigantine shot out of the 
Tagus, was soon at sea, and carried the entire party to Eng- 
land. 

It had previously been arranged, and the captain had 
agreed, for a thousand moidores in gold, to convey. the fam- 
ily to England. To avoid detection, they were under the 
painful necessity of adopting this plan of escape. The 
ladies had concealed all their diamonds and other jewels, by 
quilting them in their dresses. The doctor had changed 
all his securities into gold, which was distributed among the 
gentlemen of the family and secured in leather belts about 
their persons. His house, plate, furniture, servants, equi- 
page, and even the dinner cooked for the occasion, were all 

5g 65 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

left; these were subsequently seized by the Inquisition and 
confiscated to the state. 

On the arrival of Dr. Kunez and family in London, the 
settlement of Georgia and the fine climate and soil of the 
country were subjects of much discussion. The ship, upon 
which Gov. Oglethorpe was returning to his new settlement, 
was about to sail. The doctor and his family, not one of 
whom could speak the English language, embarked as pas- 
sengers. 

From this famous family has sprung a long list of highly 
respectable descendants — in Savannah, Charleston, Phila- 
delphia and Xew York — who to this day are rigid in their 
attachment to the doctrines of their faith. 



Col. Campbell, leaving Col. Innes in command at Savan- 
nah, followed up his advantage vigorously. By January, 
1779, for a distance of fifty miles above the city, there was 
found no one to oppose him, though he was without artil- 
lery, horses, or a provision train. King George's troops 
occupied every important point, and strenuous efforts were 
made to awe the region into submission. In the meantime, 
Gen. Howe had been removed, and Gen. Benjamin Lincoln 
given the command of the Southern Department, with 
headquarters at Purrysburg. 

All that part of our State that was in the hands of the 
British suffered frightfully. oSTo mercy was shown to the 
families of those who were fighting for independence. 
Hundreds of women, children and negroes were fleeing 
from Georgia, they knew not where; their only aim was to 
escape from the terrible "Red Coats." 

66 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

Gen. Prevost, marching up from Florida, had almost im^ 
mediately taken Sunbury. lie changed the name of the 
fort from Morris to Fort George, for the King. Then 
he went directly to Savannah, where he assumed the com- 
mand of all the King's forces in Georgia. 

Gen. Lincoln's army was so weak and undisciplined that 
he could only act on the defensive, and try to prevent the 
enemy crossing into Carolina. Augusta, alone of all the 
military posts in our State, had not yet submitted to the 
King. 

In this condition of affairs, about the middle of the 
month. Col. Campbell, with one thousand men, set out to 
capture that town. The Georgians, in small companies of 
mounted men, at several points made a stand against the 
enemy, and slightly impeded their progress. 

In one of these skirmishes, at Burke Jail, Capt. Joshua 
Inman, commanding a company of cavalry, Avith his own 
hand killed three of the enemy; the famous Tory leader, 
McGirth, was wounded in this same engagement. 

When the British appeared before Augusta, the Georgia 
forces gave the towm up without a struggle, knowing that 
a fight would involve a useless secrifice of life, and retreated 
across the river. Col. Campbell tarried there but a few 
days, leaving a Tory, Col. Brown, in command, while he 
marched towards Wilkes county to overawe the inhabi- 
tants. 

Thus, in a short time, our State was completely in the 
possession of the British, and severe penalties were inflicted 
on all who refused to take the oath of allegiance to King 
George. 



67 



GEOEGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

As soon as it was known in Wilkes county that Angusta 
was taken, every man who was able to get away hastily col- 
lected his household effects and cattle, and fled with his 
family to Carolina. Those who could not refugee placed 
their wives, children and negroes in the forts that had been 
built as a protection against the Indians, and associated to- 
gether for mutual protection. Col. John Dooly was their 
leader, while tlie British, under Col. Hamilton, watched 
their movements. Skirmishes occurred at Carr's Fort^ 
Cherokee Ford, and Long Cane, in all of which engage- 
ments the Tories were commanded by Col. Boyd. 

Very soon after this the deep despondency of the Whigs 
was brightened by a great victory, which was brought about 
in this way : 

Col. Boyd, who Avas in South Carolina with his Tory regi- 
ment, was ordered to join the British army near Savannah ; 
for this purpose he crossed over into Georgia, intending to 
visit Augusta on his way. This design was frustrated, be- 
cause he was confronted by Col. Elijah Clarke and Col. 
Pickens, who respectively commanded the Georgia and 
Carolina militia. They joined battle on the 14th of Febru- 
ary, on Kettle Creek, in Wilkes county. On this occasion 
Col. Dooly, with great patriotism, gave the command of all 
the forces to Col. Pickens of South Carolina, who divided 
them into three divisions, with Dooly commanding the right 
wing, Clarke the left wing, and himself the center. He 
enforced strict orders against a shot being fired until they 
were within thirty-five paces of the foe. 

This little army of patriots found Col. Boyd unconscious 
of any danger. His horses were turned out to forage 
among the reeds in the swamp, while his men, who had 

68 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

been on short rations for three days, were cooking Uieir 
breakfast-^sonie of them parching corn, and others prepar- 
ing the beeves that they had killed. 

•The Whigs attacked them in this unguarded condition, 
and after close fighting for an hour, drove them throngh 
the cane-brake and over the creek. The Tories fought with 
great desperation, and left many dead and wounded on the 
field. Col. Boyd, a brave and active Irishman, was mor- 
tally wounded early in the engagement, which was an irrep- 
arable loss to the British. 

On the opposite side of the creek, there was a piece of 
rising ground just in the rear of the Tories, and Col. Clarke 
— with his usual foresight, perceiving that the enemy would 
try to make a stand upon it — succeeded in gaining its sum- 
mit, and beating ])ack his foes after some severe fighting. 
His horse was killed under him, but he quickly mounted 
another, and rushed again into the fight. 

The forces of Pickens and Dooly also pressed through 
the swamp, though it was with great difficulty. However, 
the victory w^as complete, and the enemy routed at all 
points, leaving seventy of their men either killed or 
wounded on the field, and seventy-five were taken prisoners. 
Many horses were captured, and a large quantity of arms, 
equipments and clothing obtained, making a great accession 
to the scanty stores of the patriots. In this battle, Stephen 
Heard, one of the most active of the Georgia officers in this 
war, performed a distinguished part. He not only encour- 
aged the "Whigs by his patriotic speeches, but did his share 
of the fighting. 

The patriots numbered four hundred and t\\^nty men, 
and the Tories about seven hundred, of whom not more than 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

three hundred ever reached Col. Campbell at Augusta. 
This victory was far more important than the numbers en- 
gaged would indicate. It broke up the bands of Tories in 
IsTorth Carolina, who so often made raids into Georgia, and 
they never assembled again, except in small parties or 
under the immediate protection of the British. The battle 
of Ivettle Creek decided their fate. 

When the fighting was over, Col. Pickens extended to 
Col. Boyd every courtesy in his power, detailing two men 
to furnish him with water, and bury him Avhen he died; 
which melancholy event happened early in the night. He, 
also, took charge of certain valuable articles which the dy- 
ing officer had upon his person, promising to send them to 
his wife and to write her an account of his last moments; 
this promise the gallant Pickens faithfully fulfilled. 

The prisoners taken in the battle of Kettle Creek were 
carried to South Carolina, tried, found guilty of treason, 
and condemned to death; but only five of the most notorious 
were executed, the rest being pardoned. 

On the spot where the town of Washington is now 
located, at this time stood Fort Heard. A party of Vir- 
ginia emigrants, under the leadership of Stephen Heard, 
had settled this neighborhood in 1774, and built the fort to 
protect themselves against being surju'ised by the Indians, 
and near it the Georgia army encamped after this engage- 
ment. 

Amid the general gloom which now encompassed our 
State, the victory at Kettle Creek shone like a star of hope, 
dissipating despair and enkindling confidence in the hearts 
of the Whigs. 



70 



CHAPTER VII. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. (Continued.) 

After the victory of Kettle Creek, many of the citizens 
of Wilkes county, who had gone to South Carolina for 
safety, returned to their homes, with their families and 
property; but it was not long before they became much 
alarmed by the approach of a body of Indians, and to Col. 
Clarke was committed the trying duty of remaining on the 
frontier to guard the forts. 

Both the British and the Tories continued their cruelties 
wdienever opportunity offered. Col. Clarke's house was 
pillaged and burned, and his family ordered to leave the 
State. Mrs. Clarke and her two daughters left home with 
no means of conveyance except a small pony, and even this 
was taken from them after they had proceeded but a short 
distance on their journey. These indignities did not in the 
least intimidate Col. C'larke, but only nerved him to re- 
newed action. 

Skirmishes with the enemy continued to be frequent, 
and, though only partial in their results, showed that the 
love of freedom and a spirit of resistance were still abroad 
in the land. 

About rhis time, Col. John Twiggs, with the militia of 
liichmond county, passing in the rear of the British — who 
were occupying Augnsta — surprised one of their outposts 

71 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

at llerLert's, wliere seventy men were stationed. The 
patriots killed and wonnded several of the enemy, and com- 
pelled the rest to snrrender unconditionally. Not lons^ 
after this, Col. Campbell determined to evacuate Augusta, 
as the Tories in u])per Georgia had been so completely 
routed, and the Whigs were every day becoming stronger in 
nujubers. 

He commeiiced his retreat late in February and joined 
Col. Prevost at Hudson's ferry, on the Savannah river, hav- 
ing been annoyed the entire distance by small bands of 
patriots who hung upon his flank and rear. His decision to 
abandon Augnsta was so suddenly made and so quickly 
put into execution, that he did not pause to destroy the 
quantity of provisions which had accumulated there. 

After the British departed, Gen. Ashe, of JS^orth Caro- 
lina, with some twenty-three hundred men, crossed the river 
at that point, and pursued them as far as Brier creek, where 
he halted and encamped in the angle formed by the conflu- 
ence of the creek and the Savannah river. 

All this time, Gen. Lincoln was still at Purrysburg, 
where he had gathered about him some three or four thou- 
sand troops. Gen. Rutherford, with about eight hundred 
men, was encamped at Williamson's House at Black 
Swamp, and Gen. Williamson, with his division of twelve 
hundred men, was holding Augusta. 

Thus, finding himself in command of nearly six thousand 
men, Gen. Lincoln resolved to stand no longer on the de- 
fensive, but either expel the British from Georgia, or con- 
fine them within narrow limits on the seacoast. 

So he called a council of war, composed of all his gen- 
erals. It was decided that all the troops, except a guard 

72 



RE VOLUTION AKY PERIOD. 

at Pnrrysbui'g to watch tlie movements of the enemy^ 
should be rapidly concentrated at the position then occupied 
by Gen, Ashe, Avith a view to marching onward and recov- 
ering Georgia. 

In the council of war, Gen. Ashe stated that his camp on 
Brier creek was perfectly sccnre; that the British were 
afraid of him, thinking his numbers greater than they 
were, and that all he required to give battle to the enemy 
was a detachment of artillery with one or two field pieces. 
G'en. Lincoln immediately ordered this assistance to be sent 
to his camp. Unfortunately, Col. Campbell, becoming 
aware of Gen. Lincoln's design of aggressive warfare, deter- 
mined to frustrate his plans by a rapid blow, and, as a first 
step in that direction, to dislodge Gen. Ashe. 

For this purpose he sent ^laj. McPherson towards Brier 
creek bridge, to deceive Gen. Ashe by a feint and mask the 
main movement, which Col. Prevost was to conduct in per- 
son. That officer, with nine hundred men, made a detour 
of between forty and fifty miles, crossed the creek above 
the point occupied by Gen. Ashe, and had actually gained 
the rear of his army before the alarm was given. So^badly 
prepared were the Whigs for this attack, that when a cou- 
rier brought the tidings of the near approach of the British, 
and they formed in line of battle, the militia were without 
ammunition, and had to be supplied at that late hour. 
They were miserably armed — some of them had rifles, some 
tjhotguns, a few had muskets, and many of them had no 
weapons at all. 

At three o'clock in the afternoon of March 3d the battle 
began. Gen. Ashe had reduced the number of his army 



73 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

SO much, by sending detachments to do duty at other points^ 
or to perform some special service, that he had not more 
than eight hundred men in this fight. 

The center and right wing of this small force did not 
stand the shock of Col. Prevost's artillery for five minutes 
after they were attacked, but broke and fled in confusion. 
The left wing alone, under Col. Elbert, remained facing 
the enemy, and they fought so stubbornly that Col. Prevost 
had to order up his reserves to support his right wing, which 
was opposed to this gallant body of men. The enemy 
greatly outnumbered him, but Col. Elbert prolonged the 
fight until nearly every man in his command was either 
killed, wounded, or captured. The fleeing Whigs took 
refuge in the deep swamp bordering on the Savannah river, 
and Sir James Baird, who was pursuing them with his light 
infantry, cried out : "Every man of you that takes a pris- 
oner shall lose his ration of rum." This was the reason that 
so many of the militia were so cruelly bayoneted in that 
fatal swamp by the exultant British soldiery. Only those 
who were good swimmers escaped to the Carolina shore; 
many were drowned in making the attempt. 

The demoralization of Gen. Ashe's army was complete. 
He lost one hundred and fifty men, either killed in battle 
or drowned; twenty-seven officers, with one hundred and 
sixty-two non-commissioned officers and privates were taken 
prisoners. Their loss of arms was almost total — a very seri- 
ous blow at this time, as they could not be replaced. 
Strange to tell, the British had only five privates killed,, 
with one officer and ten privates wounded. 

The only ray of light that shone through the darkness of 
this sad defeat was shed by the bravery of Col. Elbert and 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

his command. He fought until he was struck down, and 
he was on the point of being killed by a soldier with uplifted 
bayonet, when he made the masonic sign of distress. An 
officer noticed it, responded instantly, stayed the soldier's 
arm, and saved Col. Elbert's life. As a prisoner on parole, 
in the British camp, he was treated "with great respect and 
kindness. Honor and reward were promised him if he 
would join the British, but all such offers were promptly 
rejected. 

Col. Mcintosh, the hero of Fort Morris, had stood his 
ground with Col. Elbert until nearly every man was killed, 
and then he was captured. As he was surrendering his 
sword, a British officer tried to kill him; and he was only 
saved by the timely interference of his kinsman, Sir /Eneas 
Mcintosh, of the British army. 

Another distinguished prisoner, taken after a gallant 
defense, was Col. Erancis Harris. He was a native Geor- 
gian, his father having settled here soon after the colony 
was planted. When a mere lad he was sent to England to 
be educated. He was in college when the disturbances 
began between Great Britain and the colonies, and such was 
his devotion to his country that he refused to remain in 
England, and arrived in Georgia just in time to be among 
the first to take up arms against the mother country. 

The Continental Congress at once gave him a captain's 
commission, and in a short time promoted him to the com- 
mand of a battalion. AVhen Charleston was besieged by 
Gen. Prevost, he went to its relief, commanding a detach- 
ment of Continental troops. He, with other Georgians, 
was conspicuous at the battles of Camden and Eutaw, in 
South Carolina. 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

G«n. Ashe was so much censured for his imprudence and 
incompetency at the battle of Brier Creek, that a court of 
inquiry, composed of Gen. Lincoln and the generals in hi? 
army, was held at Purrysburg, and he was ordered to ap- 
pear before it, to answer for his conduct on that occasion. 
After investigating the matter thoroughly, the opinion of 
the court was, that Gen. Ashe was not lacking in personal 
courage, and that he remained on the field as long as pru- 
dence and duty required. Many Georgians did not approve 
this verdict. 

By the defeat at Brier creek, the subjugation of Georgia 
below Augusta was made complete, for the time being. 
Gen. Prevost thought himself firmly settled in the State, as 
Gen. Lincoln, staggered by the recent blow, was in no con- 
dition to dislodge him. 

To increase the evil plight of our State, the Creeks and 
Cherokees, stirred up by British emissaries, exhibited a 
threatening attitude. The outlook for Georgia was dark — 
her only hope, the stout hearts of her liberty-loving sons. 

About this time an exchange of prisoners was effected, 
and the returning Georgians were in a wretched condition. 
They were so emaciated from starvation that they could 
not without assistance leave the boats in which they 
were brought from the prison-ships. 

Those prison-ships were filthy, floating dungeons, in which 
the chief articles of food were spoiled oatmeal and con- 
demned pork. Is it surprising that five or six prisoners 
died daily ? And when they died their bodies were taken 
to the nearest marsh and trodden in the mud, from which 
the tide would wash them; "at low water the prisoners on 
the ships beheld the carrion crows picking the bones of their 

7(i 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

departed companions." Gen. Lincoln earnestly protested 
against this inhuman treatment, but both Gen. Prevost and 
Commodore Parker were deaf to the voice of justice and 
mercy. 

In April, Gen. Lincoln resolved to make another effort 
to drive the British from Georgia; in a council of war, it 
was decided that he should cross the Savannah river, at a 
point near Augusta, and endeavor to occupy some strong 
position, in order to keep the enemy from receiving supplies 
from the back country, and to prevent their forming a coali- 
tion with the Indians. 

With this purpose in view he had succeeded in establish- 
ing himself at Silver Bluff, when he had to abandon his en- 
terprise and hasten back to Carolina to oppose Gen. Prevost, 
who appeared before Charleston on the Hth day of May. 
On the approach of Gen. Lincoln, Gen, Prevost raised the 
siege of Charleston and retired. 

While Gen. Lincoln was defending Carolina against the 
enemy. Col. Dooly and Col. Clarke, with watchful eyes 
and tireless arms, were protecting the frontiers of Georgia 
against hostile Indians and treacherous Tories, Col. Clarke 
was the great partisan leader in our State; when the con- 
tinental troops were forced to leave Georgia and South 
Carolina, he alone kept the field, and his name spread 
terror through the British posts, from the Catawba river in 
Carolina to the Creek nation. He was ably assisted by 
Col. Twiggs, Col. Pew, and Col. Jones, who hung about 
the outposts of the enemy, attacking them at every oppor- 
tunity, and cutting off their supplies, thus encouraging 
their compatriots by keeping alive in their hearts a hope of 
deliverance. 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE, 

Towards the last of June, Col. Twiggs had halted with 
his seventy men at the plantation of Mr. James Butler, on 
the Great Ogeechee river, in Liberty county, when he re- 
ceived information that the British Capt. Muller, with 
forty mounted grenadiers, was advancing to attack him. 

Col. Twiggs and his spirited little band fought so well 
that in a very short time the British were totally overcome, 
^vith the loss of their commanding officer and several others 
killed, and the rest captured : not one escaped. 

When the news of this brilliant affair reached Savannah 
it produced a great sensation among the British officers, one 
of whom said, if an angel were to tell him that Capt. 
Muller — who had served twenty-one years in the King's 
Guards — with his detachment, had been defeated by an 
equal number of rebels, he would disbelieve it. 

About the same time, at the White House near Sunbury, 
Maj. Baker defeated a party of Tories, led by Capt. Gold- 
smith. Among the enemy's killed was Lieut. Gray, whose 
head was almost severed from his body by a saber cut from 
the celebrated Robert Sallette. This man was a roving 
character, belonging to no particular command, but fight- 
ing zealously in his o^vn way. The Tories stood in great 
dread of him, and well they might, for they never had a 
more implacable foe. 

On one occasion, taking with him a bag in which he had 

placed a pumpkin, he appeared before a wealthy Tory who 

had offered one hundred guineas for Sallette's head. He 

boldly claimed the reward, saying he had the head and 

would give it up, provided the money was first counted out 

to him. The Tory eagerly handed him the money, when 

our hero pulled off his hat, and placing his hand on his 

head, said: 

78 



EEVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

"Here is Sallette's head." 

This so frightened the Tory that he instantly took to his 
lieels, but a well directed shot from Sallette's gun brought 
him to the ground. 

Sallette's motto was : "Never forgive a Tory." If one 
was ever liberated from captivity, he would follow him, 
and, if possible, take his life. Often, during a battle, he 
would leave the command with which he was fighting, get 
into the rear of the enemy, and kill many before he was dis- 
covered. 

Once he dressed himself in British uniform, and dined 
with a party of the enemy. While they were merrily drink- 
ing toasts, he suddenly drew his sword, killed a man on 
either side of him, sprang upon his horse without taking 
time to throw the bridle over his neck, and rode off amidst 
the lire of his pursuers. 

During this same summer. Col. Twiggs, anxious to chas- 
tise the notorious McGirth and his party of marauders — 
who were pillaging the property of the Whigs — went in 
pursuit of them. Overtaking them on Buckhead creek, he 
fought them so stoutly that, within fifteen minutes, they 
were put to flight, leaving several killed and wounded. 
McGirth was shot through the thigh, hut, unhappily for 
the cause of humanity, escaped by the fleetness of his horse 
into a neighboring swamp. 

It was by such partisan exploits as these that the British 
and Tories w^ere held in check and the drooping spirits of 
1;he oppressed Georgians from time to time revived. 



79 



CHAPTER VIII. 

REVOLUTIONARY I'ERIOD. (OoNrixuED.) 

When Sir James Wright fled from Savannah, in March, 
1776, taking refuge on the King's ship Scarborough — then 
lying at Tybee roads — all the other royal officers were so 
filled with dismay that one by one, as opportunity offered, 
they left Georgia. Most of them returned to England, but 
a few refugeed to St. Augustine, and a few espoused the 
cause of freedom. 

From that time until the British captured Savannah, in 
December, 1778, King George had no authority in our 
State; but, when our capital fell, and all southern Georgia 
was overrun, the King appointed Col. Prevost military 
governor. 

He only held the office for a few months, for, in July of 
the next year, Sir James Wright was sent back to Georgia 
and supplanted him. 

Sir James fondly hoped to restore the allegiance of the 
province to King George. He was to be woefully disap- 
pointed in this expectation ; neither did he find the Indians, 
who had been an immense expense to the Crown, so warmly 
attached to the royal cause as he had expected. 

During the lull which preceded the gathering storm that 
was soon to shake Savannah to its foundations. Sir James, 

80 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. ' 

residing there, and supported by the King's army, was en- 
deavoring to re-create the royal government and to lead 
back the people of southern Georgia to British rule. 

At Augusta, the patriotic Georgians who were members 
of the Supreme Executive Council, invested with absolute 
power, were trying to perpetuate the sovereignty of a re- 
publican State just born into the sisterhood of nations, and 
to arm, feed, and clothe a patriot band — few in numbers, 
yet brave of heart — fighting for home and property and 
liberty. Their treasury was empty, and all sorts of expe- 
dients were resorted to in order that the troops might be 
supplied with the necessaries of life. Often the confiscated 
property of royalists was used for this purpose. 

In the midst of this distressing poverty, the official con- 
duct of the Council showed no act of injustice, peculation 
or despotism — a wonderful tribute to the individual worth 
of each member, and to the purity, the patriotism, the "honor 
and the virtue of the period. 

The Council kept an intelligent observation over the 
whole State, and the dearest wish of their hearts was its re- 
demption from the British. To further this end, they sent 
a lengthy communication to Gen. Lincoln, on the condition 
of affairs, and memorialized the Governor of South Carolina 
to assist them with men and money to retain possession of 
upper Georgia. These and similar appeals were not made 
in vain, and the efforts of the Council had much to do with 
bringing about a co-operation between the French army, 
imder Count D'Estaing, and the republican forces, under 
Gen, Lincoln, for the recovery of Savannah. 

By this time Gen. Lachlan Mcintosh was back in Geor- 
gia, with the esteem and confidence of Gen. Washington 
«g 81 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

publicly expressed. He now became second to Gen. Lin- 
coln in command, and the leader of the forces concentrated 
for the protection of the upper portions of our State. 

When the Continental Congress signed the treaty of com- 
merce and alliance with Louis XVI., all Frenchmen were 
welcomed here as the best friends of America, and the King 
of France was proclaimed "the protector of the rights of 
mankind." With so powerful an ally, the Colonies no 
longer regarded their independence as doubtful. Count 
D'Estaing, who was an admiral, had been immediately sent 
to their aid with twelve ships of the line, and three frigates. 
For more than a year he had been harassing the British, so 
he was now asked to co-operate with the American forces 
in their efforts to capture Savannah. He readily gave his 
consent, and entered most heartily into the scheme, as it co- 
incided with the instructions he had received from his gov- 
ernment. 

Gen. Lincoln, making a strenuous effort to collect a large 
army, ordered the militia of South Carolina and Georgia to 
take the field and march to Savannah to join his continental 
troops. Arms and ammunition were so scarce in the west- 
ern parts of these two States, that the soldiers had to be 
furnished from the arsenals and magazines of South Caro- 
lina. Gen. Mcintosh took charge of the arms and carried 
them to Augusta to be distributed. 

The noble Pole, Count Pulaski, who was the commander 
of a corps called Pulaski's Legion, having been ordered to 
the Southern Department some months before, had distin- 
guished himself at Charleston. Afterwards, he was posted 
on the ridge fifty miles northeast of Augusta, for the con- 
venience of obtaining forage and provisions, and to be with- 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

in easy march of either Charleston or Augusta, as occasion 
might require, lie and his cavahy were now ordered to 
join Gen. Mcintosh at Augusta, the two commands to 
march to Savannah in advance of Gen. Lincoln, attack the 
British outposts, and open a communication with the 
French troops upon the seashore. Count D'Estaing, with 
his fleet increased to twenty ships of the line, two fifty-gun 
ships, eleven frigates, five small-armed vessels, and five 
thousand French soldiers, appeared off Tybee, September 
3d, and on the evening of the next day disappeared. 

It was not until the 7th that Gen. Prevost became con- 
vinced that Savannah, and not Charleston, was their desti- 
nation. He immediately concentrated his forces for the 
defense of the town, by withdrawing Col. (Jruger and his 
detachment from Sunbury, recalling his troops from out- 
lying posts, and ordering Col. Maitland, at Beaufort, South 
Carolina, to join him at once. At this time Savannah 
could boast of not more than four hundred and thirty 
houses, most of which were built of wood. It was also 
badly fortified, but Gen. Prevost now bent every energy 
to repairing that evil. He kept twelve hundred men con- 
stantly employed, until the fortifications were put in better 
shape; then the war vessels in the river were stripped of 
their batteries to arm the earth^vorks that had been con- 
structed. Besides these guns in fixed positions, field-pieces 
w^ere distributed at intervals, and ships sunk — both above 
and below the town — to block up the channel and prevent 
the near approach of the French vessels. So rapidly did 
the British work, that in two weeks they had raised around 
the town thirteen substantial redoubts and fifteen gun- 



83 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

batteries, mounting eighty pieces of cannon. So, before 
the French and Americans opened fire from their trenches, 
the British were ready for the attack. 

In the meantime, the allies had not been idle; Count 
D'Estaing had landed twelve hundred men — selected from 
various regiments — about twelve miles from Savannah, at 
Beaulieu, formerly the beautiful home of the colonial gov- 
ernor, William Stephens. There he was joined in the 
midst of a heavy rain, by Count Pulaski, who had been 
skirmishing with the British outposts. The two distin- 
guished foreigners "cordially embraced, and expressed mu- 
tual happiness at the meeting." The French admiral then 
announced that, without waiting for Gen. Lincoln, he in- 
tended to move at once upon Savannah, and that he counted 
on Pulaski's Legion to form his van. 

In pursuance of this plan, on the 16th of September, 
Count D'Estaing sent a summons to Gen. Prevost to sur- 
render Savannah to the King of France. A correspond- 
ence followed the summons, and it was, at length, decided 
that hostilities should be suspended for twenty-four hours. 

Intelligent British ofiicers who were present at the time, 
admitted, when the siege was over, that the French army 
alone could have taken Savannah in ten minutes, without 
the aid of artillery, had the town been attacked at that mo- 
ment. But the fatal delay of Count D'Estaing gave Col. 
Maitland time to reach Savannah with his eight hundred 
men. Arriving at Dawfuski in the evening on the very day 
of the truce, he found the river in possession of the 
French, and his further progress checked. AVhile thus em- 
barrassed, chance threw in his way a negro fisherman who 
was familiar with the creeks permeating the marshes, and 

84 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

■vvho told him of a way to reach the town without passing 
inider the fire of the fleet. So, the negro acting as pilot, 
witli a favoring tide and a dense fog, the British vessels 
passed through the narrow channel known as Wall's Cut, 
into the river, above the French fleet. When this brave 
and experienced oflficer reached Savannali, a complete 
change was effected in the disheartened garrison, and they 
gave tliree cheers which rang from one end of the town to 
the other. 

The British officers at once held a council of war and 
Sir. James Wright cast the vote which decided that the 
town should be held, and hostilities resumed as soon as the 
armistice was ended. 

During the 12th and 13tli Gen. Lincoln's command was 
slowly crossing the river at Zubly's Ferry. Boats were 
very scarce, as the Britisli had secured or destroyed most of 
them. Gen. ]\IcTntosh joined him at once, and soon the 
two united commands were encamped at Cherokee Hill, 
eight miles from the town. 

As the original plan of attack had been frustrated by 
Count D'Estaing's ambition for the triumph of French 
arms without any aid from the Americans, a siege was de- 
cided upon. So, by the 22d of September, Savannah was 
completely isolated on the land side, by the allied armies, 
and a French frigate and two galleys lay in the river, within 
cannon shot of the town. 

A large house at Thunderbolt was used as a hospital. 
This place is five miles southeast of Savannah, and, accord- 
ing to Gen. Oglethorpe's account, received its name "from 
the fall of a thunderbolt : a spring thereupon arose in that 
place, which still smells of the bolt." From this time for- 

85 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

ward, Thunderbolt instead of Beaulieu was used as the 
place for holding converse with the fleet. 

Gen. Lincoln's command numbered twenty-one hundred 
men; and the British, after the arrival of Col. Maitland, 
had twenty-five hundred. 

As no preparations had been made by the Americans for 
a siege, much time was lost in bringing the requisite cannon, 
mortars, and ammunition from the fleet. 

The British were of course delighted with the turn of 
affairs. Gen. Prevost's chief engineer declared that if the 
allies would only resort to the spade and to the tedious 
operations incident to a protracted bombardment, he would 
pledge himself to make a successful defense. 

At seven o'clock, on the morning of the 25tli of Septem- 
ber, the Americans opened fire upon the town from a bat- 
tery mounting two 18-pound guns : but, as Count D'Estaing 
ordered the construction of other batteries in that vicinity, 
no more firing occurred until these works were completed. 
So, the regular bombardment of Savannah did not begin 
until October 3d at midnight. 

Gen. Mcintosh's family was in the besieged to^vn, and 
his aid, Maj. John Jones, was the bearer of a flag of truce 
and a letter to Gen. Prevost, asking permission for them, 
and such other Georgia women and children as chose to 
avail themselves of the opportunity, to leave the town until 
the contest should be decided. Maj. Jones found Mrs. Mc- 
intosh and her children in a cellar, whose damp rooms were 
the only safe retreat for non-combatants. 

Gen. Prevost refused the request, thinking the besiegers 
would not throw bombs to set on fire the houses where their 
relations were residing. In this he was mistaken, and dur- 

86 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

ing tlie bombardment the women and children suffered be- 
yond description, and a number of them were killed. 

In the meantime, during the night of the 1st of October, 
Col. John White, Capt. George Melvin, and Capt. A. C. G. 
Elholm, with a sergeant and three privates (only seven in 
all), effected one of the most extraordinary captures ever re- 
corded in the annals of warfare. 

It happened in this way : When Gen. Prevost called in 
all his detachments to Savannah, Capt. French, of the Brit- 
ish Regulars, with one hundred and eleven troops, and five 
vessels with their crews, were detained by head winds until 
a part of Count D'Estaing's fleet was in possession of the 
pass, which forced them to take refuge in the Great Ogee- 
chee river, twenty-five miles from Savannah. 

Eour of Capt. French's vessels were armed, and had on 
board the invalid soldiers from Sunbury. When he 
learned that the passage overland was also blocked up by 
the allied forces, he disembarked and formed a fortified 
camp on the left bank of the river. 

Approaching this encampment at night. Col. White and 
his associates built many watch-fires around it, in such a po- 
sition and at such intervals as to induce Capt. French and 
his soldiers to believe that their camp was absolutely sur- 
rounded by a large force. The deception was kept up all 
through the night by Col. White and his companions march- 
ing from fire to fire, with the measured tread and loud chal- 
lenge of sentinels — now hailing from the east of the Brit- 
ish camp, and anon rapidly shifting their position and 
challenging from the extreme west. 

!N"or was this their only stratagem; each of them mounted 
a horse, and rode with haste in different directions, imitat- 

87 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

ing the manners of a staff and giving orders with a loud 
voice. The delusion was complete, and Capt. French was 
entirely deceived. 

Col. White carried out his daring plan by dashing up 
boldly and alone to the British camp, and demanding an 
interview with the officer in charge. When it was granted, 
he said : "I am the commander, sir, of the American 
forces in your vicinity. If you will surrender at once, I 
will see that no injury is done to you or your command. 
If you decline to do this, I must candidly inform you that 
the feelings of my troops are highly incensed against you, 
and I cannot be responsible for the consequences." Capt. 
French thanked him for his humanity and said desponding- 
ly, that it was useless to contend with the large force that 
he saw was around him, and that he would surrender his 
command and his vessels. 

At this moment, Capt. Elholm rode up at full speed, and 
saluting Col. White, inquired where he should place the 
artillery? "Keep them back, keep them back, sir," Col. 
White replied, "the British have sui-rendered. Move your 
men off and send me three guides to conduct them to the 
American post at Sunbury." 

The three guides arrived, and the vessels were burned 
the first thing. Then the British, urged by Col. White to 
keep clear of his enraged troops, took up their line of 
march and pushed on with great celerity, while Col. White 
announced that he w^ould go to the rear and restrain his 
men. Tie then hastened to collect the neighborhood mili- 
tia, with which, overtaking the guides, he conducted his 
prisoners in safety to Sunbury. 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

From the 3d to the 6th of October, the allies kept up a 
frequent cannonading of Savannah, with no satisfactory re- 
sult, and Count D'Estaing became fully convinced that he 
should not have resorted to the slow process of a siege, 
which gave the enemy time to strengthen their old defenses 
and erect new ones. He sincerely regretted that he had 
not made the attack which he had first planned. 

As the bombardment of the town continued, Gen. Prev- 
ost asked the same favor that he had refused to Gen. Mc- 
intosh, that the women and children, among whom were his 
own family, might leave the town and live on shipboard 
under the protection of a French man-of-war. Both Gen. 
Lincoln and Count D'Estaing denied his request. 

Now, again, shot and shell poured furiously into the 
town, which was three times set on fire. The besiegers were 
ever approaching nearer, until they were within pistol shot 
of the British works, but the engineers said it would take 
ten days more to penetrate them. The French naval offi- 
cers remonstrated against any further delay, as their sailors 
were suffering from scurvy and short rations. There was 
sickness, too, in the camp of the allies, the stormy season 
of the year was near, and the cannonading had, as yet, made 
no breach in the enemy's fortifications. So Count D'Es- 
taing determined on an effort to take the town by assault. 



8^ 



CHAPTER IX. 

EEVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. (Continued.) 

The 9th of October, at four o'clock in the morning, was 
the time appointed by the allied Generals to carry Savannah 
by assault. 

Every detail of this important movement was arranged 
at a conference of the leading officers. The French were 
to form in three columns — two for assault, and the third 
as a reserve, to render assistance at any point where they 
might be required. 

The American forces were to be divided into two assault- 
ing columns; the first composed of Carolina troops under 
Col. Laurens, and the second, consisting of both Georgia 
and Carolina soldiers, were to be led by Gen. Mcintosh. 
Count Pulaski was to lead the French and American cav- 
alry. Gen. Lincoln was to have command of the reserves, 
including a body of militia. 

The American forces were all to wear a piece of white 
paper on their hats, so that they could easily recognize each 
other in the uncertain light of that early hour. 

Unfortunately a traitor, having ascertained their plans, 
deserted and communicated them to the British, so that 
Gen. Prevost was fully prepared for the assault. 

He had learned that the principal attack would be di- 
rected against the Spring Hill redoubt and the batteries 

90 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

near it, and that the attack on his left, under Gen. Huger, 
Avoiild le only a feint. Making his arrangements in ac- 
cordance mth this information, he placed his best troops at 
Spring Hill; nnder Ids most efficient officer, Col. Maitland. 

Before dawn on that eventful October day, Gen. Huger, 
with five hundred men, wading half a mile through a rice- 
field that bordered the town on the east, reached his point 
of attack promptly at the hour agreed upon, and made an 
assaidt. 

The enemy, under Col. Cruger and Maj. Wright, being 
fully advised of his movements, were on the alert, receiving 
him Avith music and a heavy fire of cannon and musketry. 
So he was forced to retreat, with a loss of twenty-eight men ; 
and he did not have the opportunity to take further part 
in the fighting of the day. The attack by the troops from 
the trenches, upon the center of the British line, made very 
little impression and was easily repulsed. 

On the British right, Count D'Estaing massed his troops, 
and led them three times to the enemy's entrenchments, but 
failed each time to carry them. Then he attempted to 
gain an advantage by penetrating through a swamp on the 
left, but more than half of the soldiers who entered it were 
•either killed, or remained stuck fast in the mud. Standing 
in a most exposed position, the Count witnessed this slaugh- 
ter of his men with perfect self-possession, constantly en- 
couraging them to renew the assault. He was sure of their 
courage, but when he saw that success in that quarter was 
impossible, he ordered a retreat, which was effected under a 
galling fire from the British entrenchments. 

In this assault. Count D'Estaing was twice wounded by 
musket balls — the first time in the arm, and, during the re- 

91 . 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

treat, in the tliigli. The British fired from their cannon,, 
packets made np of scrap iron, the blades of knives and 
scissors, and even chains five or six feet long. 

The brave and scholarly Lanrens, heading his light in- 
fantrv and preceded by the noble Pnlaski on his black 
charger, assaulted Spring-Hill redonbt with great courage. 
He was among the first to mount the J>ritisli lines. At 
one time the ditch was passed, and the colors of the Second 
South Carolina regiment planted for an instant on the para- 
pet. Three times the hands that held them were palsied by 
death,, when Sergeant Jasper, with daring courage, seized 
them as they fell from the stiffening hand of Lieut. Gray, 
and, for the fourth time, they were in the act of being re- 
placed, when the devoted Jasper received a death shot. 

The contest waxed fierce and desperate. The parapet 
was too high for those patriots to scale in the face of such 
a murderous fire, and they were driven out of the ditch. 
On the retreat, Laurens' command was thrown into great 
disorder by the cavalry and. lancers, who, being severely 
distressed by the enemy's fire, broke away to the left — pass- 
ing through the infantry and carrying a portion of it into 
the swamp. 

In the thickest of the fight, the gallant Pulaski had en- 
deavored to force a passage between the enemy's works, and, 
advancing at full speed upon his splendid horse, was ar- 
rested by the abattis, and unhorsed by a shot in the right 
thigh. This inflicted a mortal wound, and he was left 
lying upon that bloody field among the dead and dying. 

(^ount D'Estaing, in spite of his wounded arm, was still 
leading his men and inciting them to rush boldly on to vic- 
tory or death. At this moment of supreme confusion, Gen. 

92 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

Mcintosh ra-rived, but too late to take any part in the action^ 
for those brave assailants, having sustained this galling fire 
for nearly an hour, and having been literally mowed down, 
were ordered to retreat. 

The ditch A\a3 filled with dead patriots, and for fifty 
yards in front of it the field was covered with the slain. 
^Fany hung dead or wounded upon the abattis, and for sev- 
eral hundred yards Avithout the lines the plain was strewn 
with mangled bodies killed by shot and shell. 

Many a Georgia soldier, on that fateful day, sealed with 
his blood his devotion to liberty, and Twiggs, Butler, Jones, 
Jackson, Few and Baillie did all that mortal arm could do 
to recover the capital of their State from a cruel foe. 

After five hours of hard fighting, the allied army dis- 
played a white flag, and asked a truce to bury their dead. 
Gen. Prevost granted them four hours, but they were only 
allowed to bury such of their slain as fell beyond the abattis. 
Those who fell within the redoubts were buried by the Brit- 
ish in one common grave, and there they remain to this day, 
without mound or column to point out their last resting 
place. 

The British suffered very little in the assault, being thor- 
oughly protected by well-constructed earthworks. How 
admirably Gen. Prevost had covered his men by entrench- 
ments and redoubts, and how skillfully and rapidly the 
British handled their muskets and field and siege pieces is 
best shown by the slaughter of the assailants. 

Numerous are the noteworthy incidents connected v/ith 
this attack upon Savannah, among which are the following : 

When the brave Jasper seized the colors of his regiment, 
he never relaxed his grasp until he bore them to a place of 

93 



GEORGLl LAND AND PEOPLE. 

safety. It was after the battle of Fort Moultrie in South 
Carolina, that the wife of Col. Elliott had presented this- 
elegant flag to the second regiment, to which Jasper was- 
attached. On that occasion she said to the soldiers : "T 
make not the least doubt, under Heaven's protection, you 
will stand by these colors, so long as they wave in the air 
of liberty," and they all promised that they should be hon- 
orably supported and never tarnished. 

ISTow, as Jasper's life was slowly ebbing away, he said to 
the officer bending over him : 

"Take this sword; Gov. Rutledge presented it to me for 
my services in defense of Fort Moultrie. Give it to my 
father, and tell him I have worn it with honor. Tell Mrs. 
Elliott that I lost my life supporting the colors that she 
presented to our regiment." 

As he grew weaker, there floated before his dying mem- 
oi'y one of his gener(jus acts that had happened Some time 
before — at a spring two miles from Savannah, which to this 
day is called Jasper's Spring — and he repeated the namea 
of those whom he had rescued on that occasion. 

This is the story of the heroic deed of which he was 
thinking : Learning that a number of American prisoners 
were to be brought from Ebenezer to Savannah, to be tried 
for treason, he determined to release them at all hazards. 
So, with his companion, sergeant ISTewton, he waited at this 
spring — which was in an oak grove, about thirty yards from 
the main road. When the British escort — consisting of a 
sergeant, a corporal and eight privates, with the prisoners 
in irons — stopped at the spring to refresh themselves, only 
two of them remained by the prisoners. The others, hav- 
ing leaned their guns against trees, were some distance from 

94 



EEVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

them, when Jasper and Newton sprang from their hiding 
place, seized the guns, and shot down the two guards. The 
six other soldiers were kept by threats of instant death, from 
making any attempt to recover their weapons, and so were 
forced to surrender. The two heroes crossed the Savannali 
river with their two liberated friends and captive foes, and 
joined the army at Purrysburg. 

The name of Jasper honors a county of Georgia, whose 
independence he gave his life to maintain. Sergeant John 
I^ewton's name is also given to one of our counties, and he 
will be remembered as long as there are hearts capable of 
appreciating true courage. 

Lieut. Thomas Glascock, now a captain of cavalry, was 
attached to Pulaski's Legion at the siege of Savannah. In 
the full vigor and enthusiasm of early manhood, he had 
entered hand, heart and soul into the great Revolutionary' 
struggle, doing bold and signal service in the lower part of 
his native Georgia. He conceived a romantic and devoted 
attachment to Count Pulaski; an attachment which seems 
to have been fully appreciated by the noble exile, who 
treated him as if he had been a son, or a much younger 
brother. 

When the Legion retreated from Spring-Hill redoubt, it 
was recollected with bitter mourning that Pulaski had been 
left dangerously wounded near the abattis. Now was 
shown the high courage and noble personal devotion of 
Capt. Glascock, who, with a few picked men, boldly volun- 
teered to return and rescue the dying soldier. And this he 
did, through fire, smoke, shot and shell. 

Pulaski was taken on board the American brig, Wasp, 
which was going around to Charleston. Head winds de- 

95 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

tained it for three days in the Savannah river, during which 
time the ablest surgeons in the French fleet attended Pu- 
laski, but their skill was in vain. Just as the "Wasp was 
leaving the river he breathed his last, and was reluctantly 
consigned to a watery grave. Young Glascock was by his 
side, a place he had not vacated since the hour of the rescue. 

Count Pulaski's beautiful horse was saved and carried 
from the battle-field by a South Carolina soldier. Both the 
horse and the sword of the noble Pole were afterwards given 
to his brother. 

While a surgeon was dressing the stump from which the 
arm of Lieut. Edward Lloyd had been torn by a cannon 
ball, Maj. James Jackson, who was standing near, said to 
the young officer that his prospects in life would be blighted 
by this calamity which a cruel fate had imposed upon him. 
Lloyd replied, that, severe as was the affliction, he would 
not exchange places with Lieut. Stedman, who had fled at 
the beginning of the assault. Of such stutf were the heroes 
made mIio won (ileorgia's independence! 

In the assault on the Spring-Hill redoubt, Maj. John 
Jones, aid to Gen. Mcintosh, was literally cut in two by a 
cannon ball, when he was within a few paces of the gun. 
An intimate friend, passing by one of the pits where the 
dead had been hastily buried, saw an exposed hand wEich 
he instantly recognized as that of Maj. Jones. He had his 
body disinterred and carefully and properly buried. 

Maj. Jones endured many hardships during the siege. 
Letters written from the camp before Savannah, to his wife, 
his "dear Polly," are still preserved and breathe a spirit 
full of tender affection and patriotic feeling. "Writing 
under date of October 4th, only five days before he was 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

killed, he says : "Pray do not be unhappy on my account, 
and believe that, if it is my fate to survive this action, I 
shall; if otherwise, the Lord's will be done. Every soldier 
and soldier's Avife should religiously believe in predestina- 
tion. What shall I do for clothes ? I have but one pair 
of breeches left." He was only thirty years old when that 
fatal shot from the Spring-Hill redoubt ended his life. 

During the siege, a number of Greorgia officers who had 
no command, and some other patriotic citizens, did active 
duty under the leadership of Col. Leonard Marbury. Al- 
though only thirty in number, four of them were killed and 
seven M'ounded. 

Georgians may well boast of the examples of courage, 
patient endurance and glorious death that the siege of 
Savannah has furnished. Our hearts will ever glow at the 
recital of Pulaski's gallantry, Jasper's daring and Mcin- 
tosh's ardor ! 

Many illustrious persons from both France and England 
w^ere engaged in the bloody battles. The peerage of Scot- 
land and Ireland were represented, and the famou= Erencli 
i-avigator. La Perouse, was there; but the heroes of the oc- 
casion, among the foreigners, were Count D'Estaing and 
Gount Pulaski on the American side, and Gen. Prevost for 
the British. 

During the truce for burying the dead. Gen. Lincoln and 
Count D'Estaing consulted in regard to further operations. 
The former wished to continue the siege, but the Gount — 
who was severely wounded and whose command had lost 
heavily — fearing the appearance of a British naval force in 
the exposed and impoverished condition of the fleet, deter- 
mined to hasten his departure. So the siege was raised, 
7g 97 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

and, on the 18tli of October, the allied armies withdrew 
from Savannah. Count D'Estaing returned to France, and 
Gen. Lincoln, crossing the river into South Carolina, moved 
his army towards Charleston. 

Georgia gave to her gallant French ally 20,000 acres of 
land, in acknowledgment of his services, and admitted him 
to all the privileges of a free citizen of the State. 

The joy of the British garrison in Savannah at the suc- 
cess of their arms was soon turned into mourning by the 
sudden death of Col. Maitland. This brilliant officer and 
accomplished gentleman was a member of parliament and 
a brother of James, Earl of Lauderdale. 

The siege of Savannah was, perhaps, after the battle of 
Bunker Hill in Massachusetts, the gi-eatest fight of the 
Eevolutionary war. 



98 



CHAPTER X. 

KEVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. (Continued ) 

The result of the siege of Savannah was a deuth-blow to 
the hopes of Georgia. On the seaboard every appear- 
ance of opposition to the King was crushed, and only in the 
interior was there any armed resistance. 

The British authorities were much exasperated by the 
demonstrations before Savannah, which, at the outset, 
threatened to overthrow their power; and the Tories, exult- 
ing in the humiliation of the State, set out in every direc- 
tion upon missions of insult, pillage and cruelty. Entirely 
unrestrained, they seized whatever they coveted — whether 
stock, negroes, jewels, plate, furniture, or wearing-apparel. 
They even whipped children, to force them to tell where 
their parents had hidden their valuables. No mercy was 
shown to the men who still bore arms for Georgia's free- 
dom; confiscation of property and exile or imprisonment 
were the least they had to expect. All who could, sought 
an asylum in South Carolina, but the majority of our peo- 
ple were so poor that they were forced to remain at home 
and bear the heavy yoke — now rendered more grievous 
than ever before. 

The conduct of the British soldiers in Savannah was 
such that a residence there by a Whig family was almost 
beyond endurance; but the women bore their sufferings 
with a fortitude becoming the wives of patriots. 
L.cfC. 99 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Among those who stood firmly by Georgia in this dis- 
tressing time was the venerable minister, Daniel Marshall, 
who, refusing to leave his church, remained at his post, 
comforting his people and keeping up their courage. 

This famous man, now bending under the weight of years, 
had organized on Kiokee creek in Columbia county, the 
first Baptist church in Georgia, while our State was vet a 
royal Province. Before he had members enough to build 
a church he preached in the open air. On one occasion, 
when his congregation had assembled in a beautiful grove, 
and he was upon his knees in the opening prayer, a heavy 
hand was laid upon his shoulder, and the words : "You are 
my prisoner," sounded in his ears: he was arrested for 
* ^preaching in St. Paul's parish." At that time the rites 
of the church of England constituted the only lawful wor- 
ship in the parishes where the Episcopalians controlled. 

Indignation filled the breast of Daniel Marshall, at this 
rude interruption of his services. Before he could re- 
monstrate, however, his wife — a woman noted for her 
piety, good common sense, and eloquence in conversation — 
rose from her seat, and, with the solemnity of a prophetess 
of old, denounced that law. She quoted in favor of her 
views, passages of Scripture that were so apt and forcible 
that many of her hearers were convinced; among these was 
the constable himself, Mr. James Cartledge, who after- 
wards sought baptism at the hands of Mr. Marshall. The 
latter was carried to Augusta to stand his trial, and was 
honorably acquitted. 

The Rev. Abraham Marshall, worthy son of such parents, 
by his zeal, eloquence and activity was also a marked figure 
of this period that "tried men's souls." He had fought 

100 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

at Burke Jail and at Augusta. He denounced with equal 
fei'Yor both sin and oppression, and upheld with all his soul 
the majesty of God and the liberty of the people. It was 
truly said of him, "he could pray, he could preach, he could 
figJit." This father and son were shining lights among the 
Whigs in their part of the State. 

It is scarcely possible to form an idea of the universal 
suffering in Georgia at this time. Far and near, War had 
laid his desolating hand upon the countr}'. Very little 
land was under cultivation, commerce was sadly inter- 
rupted, and the rage between Whig and Tory ran so high, 
that what was called a "Georgia parole" meant to be shot 
down without any mercy. The paper money issued by the 
State had depreciated so much that sixteen hundred and 
eighteen dollars of it were only equal to one dollar in gold. 
The common clothing of our people was a coarse cotton 
cloth, called homespun. Cotton was only planted in small 
patches for home consumption; though, in 1739, one bale 
was shipped from Savannah to England as an experiment. 
This was the first cotton ever exported from the United 
States. 

The spinning-wheel and loom were a part of the furni- 
ture of every household. The seed was picked from the 
cotton by hand, and then the negro Avomen carded, spun 
and wove it into cloth. Before the war for independence, 
homespun was used only for negroes' clothing; but now, 
stately officers and high-born dames wore it with pride. 

AVhat w^as at this time called Wilkes county included all 
the lands north of the Ogeechee river acquired from the 
Cherokees and Creeks by the treaty at Augusta in lYT-T. 
The population was very sparse, so stockade forts were 

101 



GEORGIA LAISD AND PEOPLE. 

erected at suitable points, as a refuge from the Tories and 
Indians, for those who could not leave the State. 

Small companies of Whigs were constantly in the saddle; 
whenever there was danger, the settlements were warned, 
and the women, children, negroes and stock were carried 
to the nearest fort, which the men protected. 

Stephen Heard lived in that part of Wilkes which is now 
called Elbert county. At the beginning of hostilities he 
had hastened to the standard of liberty, and, under Col. 
Elijah Clarke had defended the western portions of Geor- 
gia. He almost lived in fhe saddle, keeping a vigilant 
watch over the movements of the Indians and Tories. He 
rode a poAverful gray horse, named Silver-heels, of which 
Lis wife was very fond, because his fleetness had often saved 
her husband's life. She and all her household could dis- 
tinguish that horse's footstep as far as they could hear it. 
Whenever one of the negro w^omen rushed into the room 
where she was sitting, saying : "I hear Silver-heels coming 
at a hard gallop," Mrs. Heard would call her maids around 
her and collect and pack her most valuable possessions, for 
she knew there was danger, and they would have to flee to 
the fort. 

Stephen ELeard was governor during a portion of the 
time in which Georgia was overrun by the British, when 
gloom sat upon every countenance. His title was Presi- 
dent of the Executive Council. In this capacity he did all 
in his power to keep hope alive in the hearts of the despond- 
ing people. 

There lived in this same part of the State a rich family 
who always refugeed to their Virginia plantation whenever 
the Tories became too aggressive in Wilkes; when the 

102 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

Whigs regained control, tliey would return. They made 
this journey so often that even the cows learned the way, 
and followed the right road without once making a mistake. 
During one of these journeys, when the family were re- 
turning to Elbert county, the children and little negroes be- 
came so tired of being cooped up in the wagons, that they 
begged to be allowed to walk. Permission was readily 
granted. The road led straight across the Savannah river 
at Cherokee ford, where it was very shallow and spread out 
a half mile in width. The children did not wait here for 
the wagons, as they were expected to do. The cows were 
in front of them, slowly plodding along, and when they 
stepped into the river, each child, white and black, took 
hold of a cow's tail and held it fast until they were safely 
piloted across. When the wagons reached home at nine 
o'clock at night, the cows were in the lot, and all the chil- 
dren sitting before a rousing fire, drying their clothing. 

One of the children who thus forded the Savannah river 
was Elizabeth Darden, a great-niece of George Washing- 
ton, and she afterwards became the second wife of Stephen 
Heard. 

In this dark hour, when Georgia was deserted by friends 
and allies, she safely trusted in the strong arms and iron 
hearts of her sons, who, in small parties, annoyed the British 
and kept the Tories in check. 

The celebrated Patrick Carr, of Jefferson county, with 
his own hand killed a hundred Tories. He considered them 
vermin to be exterminated. When some one praised him 
for his bravery, he said: "I could have made a very good 
soldier, if the Almighty had not given me such a merciful 
heart." 

103 



GEORGE LAND AND PEOPLE. 

One of the most relentless enemies the Tories had was a 
plain, rough woman, named Nancy Hart, who lived in fa- 
mous Elbert county. Almost six feet tall, she was very 
muscular and erect, with a broad, angular mouth, and awk- 
ward manners. She was ignorant of letters and the civili- 
ties of life, but she had a woman's heart for her friends, 
and was a zealous lover of liberty. She called her husband 
"a poor stick," because he was rather lukewarm in the 
cause of freedom, though she could not charge him with 
any love for Tories. They lived on Broad river, and Mr. 
Hart spent most of his time in the cane-brakes; for, when 
the Tories were in the ascendency, every man known to be 
a Whig, who remained at home, had to live in hiding to 
avoid being killed. 

At her spring, I^ancy Hart always kept a conch-shell, 
upon which, by certain signals, she could give the informa- 
tion to Mr. Hart, or to any neighbor who might be at work 
in the field, that the ' 'Britishers," or the Tories were about; 
that her husband was wanted at the cabin; or that he was 
to keep close, or "make tracks" for another swamp. 

One evening Nancy was at home with her children sit- 
ting around the fire, where a large pot of soap was boiling. 
While stirring the soap, she entertained her family with the 
latest news from the war. Most of the houses and also the 
chimneys in this sparsely settled region, were built of logs. 
One of her sons saw some one peeping at them through the 
cracks of the chimney, and stealthily gave his mother a sign. 

She continued to rattle away, talking loudly about the 
recent defeat of some Tories, and giving the boiling soap 
a vigorous stir, but all the time she was watching the place 



104 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD 

where the spy would reappear. Suddenly, with the quick- 
ness of lightning, she dashed a ladle of boiling soap through 
the crevice, full in the face of the eavesdropper. Taken by 
surprise, and blinded by the hot soap, he screamed and 
roared lustily, while Nancy went out, and, with gibes and 
taunts, tied him fast as her prisoner. 

One fine morning a party of Tories gave her a call, and, 
in true soldier fashion, ordered something to eat. She soon 
had smoking venison steak, a hot hoe-cake, and fresh honey- 
comb upon the table. The self-invited guests were very 
hungry, and simultaneously stacked their guns and made a 
rush for the table; quick as thought, the dauntless Nancy 
seized one of the guns, cocked it, and declared she w^ould 
blow out the brains of the first one who offered to taste a 
mouthful, or to rise from the table! They all knew her 
character too w^ell to imagine that she would say one thing 
and do another. Not one of them was willing to be killed 
by a woman, so they all sat still. 

"Go," she said to one of her sons, "and tell the Whigs 
that I have taken six base Tories." 

On another occasion, a band of Tories from the- British 
camp at Augusta, penetrating into the interior, savagely 
murdered Col. Dooly while in bed in his own house, and 
then continued their way up the country for the purpose 
of committing further atrocities. 

A detachment of five, turning to the east, went to the 
neighborhood of Broad river to see what discoveries they 
could make. Arriving at Nancy's cabin, they entered it 
very unceremoniously, receiving a scowl from her by way 
of welcome. 



105 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

They told her that they had come to know the truth re- 
specting the story that she had concealed a noted rebel from 
the King's men, who, but for her interference, would have 
caught and hung him. 

Nancy acknowledged that it was all true, and volunteered 
to tell them how she did it. She said she gave the fugitive 
Whig minute directions how to hide himself in the swamp, 
and then let him ride straight through her cabin to hide his 
horse's tracks. Then she went about her work as usual, 
and presently the pursuing party rode up, boisterously 
calling for her. She appeared at the door with her head 
all muffled up, and asked in a weak voice why they dis- 
turbed a lone, sick woman. They described a certain 
horseman, and asked if she had seen him. Oh ! yes, she 
had seen him, and she told them the way he went, sending 
them in the wrong direction. 

Having finished her tale, jSTancy turned to her un\fel- 
comed guests, exclaiming: 

"Well fooled ! and my Whig boy was saved !" 

The Tory party did not much relish Nancy's explanation, 
l)ut they could not wreak their revenge upon a woman, so 
they passed it over by ordering her to give them something 
to eat. She replied, "I never feed King's men if I can 
help it; and now the villains, by stealing all my poultry 
and pigs have put it out of my power to feed even my own 
family. That old gobbler you see out yonder in the yard 
is all I have left." 

"Well, and that you shall cook for us," said the leader; 
and, raising his gun, he shot the turkey, which one of his 
men carried into the house and handed to Nancy. 



1)0 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

She fussed and stormed, but, at last, seeming to make a 
virtue of necessity, began to clean the turkey — assisted by 
her daughter Sukey, a girl twelve years of age. One of 
the Tories helped them, and she seemed to get in a tolerably 
good humor with him, exchanging rude jests. The To- 
ries, pleased to see that she was inclined to be jovial, invited 
her to partake of the liquor which they had brought with 
them. She accepted it with witty thanks. 

Now che turkey was ready for the pot, but there was no 
water in the house, so Sukey had to go to the spring; while 
she was there she blew the conch-shell in such a way that 
Mr. Hart and the three neighbors who were hiding in the 
swamp Avould know that there were Tories at the house. 

By the time the old gobbler was cooked, the Tories, 
having become quite merry over their jug, sat down to 
enjoy their dinner, but they had cautiously stacked their 
arms where they were within reach. Nancy waited on the 
table, paying them assiduous attention, and occasionally 
passing between them and their muskets. 

Water was called for, but she had so contrived that there 
was none in the house, so Sukey had to go again to the 
spring. With a sign from her mother she hastened her 
steps, and when she got there blew a signal to call the men 
to the house immediately. 

Meanwhile, Nancy had slipped out one of the pieces of 
])ine which made the "chinking" between the logs of her 
cabin, and dexterously placed two of the guns through the 
hole. She was just putting out a third, when she was dis- 
covered, and every Tory sprang to his feet. In a moment 
the musket which she held in her hand was at her shoulder, 
iind she declared that she would kill the first man who 

107 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

started towards lier. After some hesitation one of thenr 
advanced upon her, when, true to her threat, she fired, and 
he fell dead upon the floor. Instantly seizing another 
musket, she put it in position to fire again. 

By this time Sukey had returned from the spring, and, 
taking up the remaining gun, carried it out of the house, 
saying to her mother: "Daddy and them will be here di- 
rectly." This information so increased the alarm of the 
Tories that they made a general rush upon Nancy; but she 
instantly fired again, and seriously wounded another. 
Sukey stood at her elbow with a loaded musket which she 
had brought from outdoors; her mother, taking it, planted 
herself in the doorway and called upon the remainder of 
the party to surrender "to a Whig woman." 

They agreed to surrender and "shake hands upon the 
strength of it"; but she kept them in their places until the 
four Whigs came up to the door. They were in the act of 
shooting down the Tories, when jSTancy stopped them, say- 
ing that they were her prisoners, and, her temper being up 
to boiling heat, declaring that "shooting was too good for 
them." This hint was enough. The dead man was 
dragged out of the house, the wounded Tory and the three 
others were tied, taken out beyond the bars, and hung. 
The tree upon which they suffered death was pointed out 
fifty years afterwards by one who lived in those bloody 
times. 

Nancy Hart had high-toned ideas of liberty, in spite of 
her rough ways, and rendered so much valuable service to 
the Whigs — even risking her life on one occasion, to obtain 
information of the enemy's movements — that Georgia has 
perpetuated her name by bestowing it upon one of her 
counties. 

108 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

After tlie allied armies withdrew from Savannah, Sir 
-James Wright, as royal governor, had called a legislature, 
composed of the men who were true to the King. They 
denounced every Whig in the State as a traitor. The 
(icorgia Assembly passed the same act with regard to the 
royalists. Thus were the republicans and the royalists 
contending for the mastery, not only with arms, but with 
statecraft; and the whole territory of Georgia was given up 
to general confiscation, plunder and murder. 

In spite of the zeal of Sir James, all attempts at royal 
legislation in this State were feeble and spasmodic, except 
just after the siege of Savannah. Yet with a perseverance 
worthy of all praise, he still labored to fortify that town 
and hold Georgia for the King. 

The Whigs had now become weak in numbers and en- 
feebled by the fortunes of war. Many of them were pining 
in captivity; others, contending with hunger, were trying 
to make a crop with which to feed their families; others 
still were in different continental commands, doing battle 
beyond the limits of Georgia. 

Georgians were engaged in every battle of any impor- 
tance that was fought in South Carolina. In the battle of 
Blackstock's House — where Sumter was attacked by the 
British cavalry under Col. Tarleton — at the beginning of 
the action Sumter received a wound which compelled him 
to retire from the field. The command then devolved 
upon Col. Twiggs, the oldest Georgia officer present, and to 
him and his corps of Georgians is due much of the glory of 
this victory. 

From the beginning of this war, our State had kept Eep- 
j:esentatives in the Continental Congress, which was com- 

U)9 



GEORGIA LAKD AND PEOPLE. 

posed of delegates from all the colonies, who met to con- 
trive ways for mutual assistance and defense. In Georgia's 
darkest days, when her paper money had little value, she 
spent five hundred thousand dollars in paying the expenses 
of Richard Ilowley, while a member of this Congress. 

In these gloomy times, men thought but little about gov- 
ernment; nor was much required. Liberty and something 
for their families to eat and wear were the principal ob- 
jects for which patriotic Georgian's were now striving. 



110 



CHAPTER XL 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. (Continued.) 

The very next year after the siege of Savannah, Charles- 
ton, in South Carolina, fell into the hands of the British, 
under Sir Henry Clinton. Gen. Lincoln and his whole 
army, among whom was Gen, Lachlan Mcintosh, became 
prisoners of war. Clinton, elated at his success, determined 
to extend his conquests; he sent out three detachments into 
the interior, one of which, under Col. Browne, was to cap- 
ture Augusta. He had lived there before the war, and 
when hostilities began he expressed himself strongly in 
favor of the arbitrary measures of King George, using his 
utmost influence to inflame the minds of the people against 
the patriots. So the "Liberty Boys" had tarred and feath- 
ered him, exposing him to public ridicule in a cart drawn by 
three mules; then he was driven from the town. In a 
short time he voluntarily declared that he repented of his 
past conduct, and swore that he would risk his life and for- 
tune for the sake of Georgia's liberty. He violated his 
oath, and became one of the bitterest enemies of the Whigs. 

There were so few troops at Augusta, that Col. Browne 
took possession with but little resistance. This achieve- 
ment was rendered easier by the base act of Gen. 
Andrew Williamson, who was encamped near the town 
with three hundred militia, the most formidable force that 
Georgia had for her defense at any single point. He told 

111 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

his officers that they all had better return home, as it was 
useless to resist the King any longer. Disbanding his com- 
mand, he deserted to the British, and was rewarded for his 
treacherous conduct by a colonel's commission in the 
liing's service. 

Although Georgia was now almost entirely under con- 
trol of the British, the Whigs did not tamely submit to this 
state of affairs. Small bands of cavalry harassed the enemy 
whenever an opportunity was presented. Now they were 
burning the rice on the Ogeechee plantation of Sir James 
Wright, then thundering at the very gates of Savannah, 
and again fighting the bands of Tories who were scouring 
the country in search of plunder. 

In the meantime, Georgia's best officers and the ma- 
jority of her soldiers, having retreated to South Carolina, 
had taken part in the important events which were trans- 
piring in those parts of that State where the British and 
Tories were running riot. 

Col. Elijah Clarke, disappointed in all his plans by the 
desertion of Gen. Williamson, led his small command of 
one hundred and forty men into South Carolina. They 
were all volunteers, and each man claimed the right to 
think and act for himself. So, not being sure of his 
authority over the little band, he thought it prudent to re- 
turn to Georgia and wait for a better opportunity to help 
his neighbors. 

One of his officers — Col. John Jones, of Burke county — 
refused to follow him in his retreat back to Georgia. He 
persuaded thirty-five men to unite with him, and endeavor 
to penetrate through the forests to North Carolina, to join 
the first republican forces they could find. He succeeded in 

112 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

this plan, having a successful skirmish with the enemy on 
the way. He did good service in the cause of freedom, 
until he was disabled for a time by eight saber cuts on his 
head, in the fight with Maj. Dunlap's command in South 
Carolina. 

To add to the horrors of this period, the smallpox spread 
oyer our State. It was brought here by the British sol- 
diers, and more dreaded by our men than the sword of the 
€nemy. Civilians and tile military were alike superstitious 
about vaccination, and suffered for months with this loath- 
some disease before experiments clearly established the 
virtue of inoculation, and at last overcame their fancied 
objections. 

Col. Clarke and his men did not long remain at home, 
as they were obliged to hide in the woods, and depend upon 
their friends for food. They soon wearied of this, and re- 
turned to the Carolinas. In a battle near Musgrove's miU, 
'Col. Clarke defeated the enemy; he was twice wounded,' 
but his stock buclde saved his life. 

Soon after this affair he was back in Georgia, planning 
to capture Augusta from the British. He made his ar- 
rangements so secretly and suddenly that he reached the 
town unobserved, and found Col. Browne unprepared for 
an attack. It was the 14th of September, 1780, when Col. 
Clarke, halting before Augusta, formed his command into 
three divisions. He commanded the center, the right wing 
was under Col. McCall, and the left under Maj. Taylor. 

In the advance Maj. Taylor came upon an Indian camp, 
which he attacked; but they at once retreated towards their 
British allies, keeping up a desultory fire. He pressed for- 
ward as rapidly as possible to get possession of a trading- 

8g 113 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

post, called the White-House, "svhich was a mile and a half 
from town. Capt. Johnson was stationed there with the 
King's Rangers, and the retreating Indians soon joined 
them. 

Col. Browne did not know until the attack on the Indian 
camp that Col. Clai'ke was in his vicinity; he then ordered 
a Tory, Col, Grierson, to hasten to the assistance of the gar- 
rison at the White-House, while, with the main body of 
his troops, he advanced more slowly to the scene of action. 

In the meantime, Clarke and McCall had taken the forts 
by surprise, capturing the garrisons and all the presents- 
which were kept there for the Indians. 

Col. Browne reached the White-House in advance of the 
Whig army, and, under cover of night, threw up some 
works around it, which strengthened his position. The 
cracks between weather-boards and ceiling were filled with 
earth to make it proof against musket balls. The windows 
were closed and protected in the same way, loop-holes 
being cut at convenient distances. Thus the defense was 
made as formidable as possible with the materials at hand.. 
Col. Clarke tried to dislodge him by a regular siege, but 
failed on account of having no artillery. 

Col. Browne had sent word to Col. Cruger to bring as- 
sistance as quickly as possible. While awaiting this rein- 
forcement, he obstinately defended his post and refused to 
surrender, though his position was beset with difficulties. 
During the lighting he was shot through both thighs; his 
wounded men were suffering for medical aid, and Col. 
Clarke, being between them and the river, had cut off their 
water supply. 



114 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

Col. Browne had held his position for four days, when 
Col. Cruger appeared on the opposite side of the river. 
This compelled Col. Clarke to withdraw his forces, as any 
further effort at that time would have been useless. On 
the morning of his retreat, he released his captives; but, re- 
gardless of their obligations as prisoners on parole, they re- 
sumed their arms as soon as he left the neighborhood. 

Some of Col. Clarke's men were left behind, being so 
badly wounded that they could not be removed. Thus, 
Capt. Asby and twenty-eight others fell into the hands of 
the enemy. This officer — noted for his bravery and hu- 
manity — and twelve of the wounded Whigs were hanged 
on the staircase of the White-House, so that Browne, while 
lying there wounded, might have the pleasure of seeing 
them expire. The vengeance of this cruel and vindictive 
man against the Whigs could never be satiated; his only 
virtue was courage. 

Among the captured Whigs were two brothers named 
Glass, seventeen and fifteen years of age, respectively. 
When the retreat was ordered, the younger one could not 
be persuaded to leave his brother, who had been shot 
through the thigh and was unable to be moved. This af- 
fection cost him his life, for they were both choked to 
death on a hastily constructed gibbet. 

All this was merciful compared with what the other 
prisoners suffered. They were given up to the Indians, 
who, forming a circle, placed their prisoners in the center; 
some they threw into the great, roaring fires, and others 
they slowly roasted to death. 

Maj. Carter, of Taylor's division, was mortally wounded 
at the door of the White-House, but escaped these horrors 

115 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

through the devotion of his comrades. At the risk of their 
lives, they carried him to the plantation of Mrs. Biigg, who 
was the devoted friend of the Whigs, where, a few days 
afterwards, he died. 

'No sooner had Col. Clarke retired from Augusta than 
Col. Browne subjected the surrounding country to a rigor- 
ous search. Republican sympathizers were dragged from 
their homes and crowded into wretched prisons; those sus- 
pected of belonging to Clarke's command were hung, with- 
out even the mockery of a trial; old men were thrown in 
jail for no other reason than welcoming home their sons 
and grandsons, who had long been fighting in other States. 

Col. Jones, of Burke county, having returned to Geor- 
gia during this distressing time, to visit his family, was sur- 
prised and wounded by the Tories, but escaped to a swamp. 
"While concealed there, waiting for his wound to heal, he 
was discovered and captured. The Tories clamored for his 
life, but he was saved by the British Captain Wylly, who 
kept him constantly guarded. 

When Col. Clarke retired from Augusta, he retreated 
directly to Little river and there halted. His men, in 
small parties, returned to their homes for a few days, to 
take leave of their families before quitting the State. 
When they met again at the rendezvous many had brought 
their wives and children with them; they were perfectly 
destitute, and would have starved had they been left at 
their homes. 

So, when Col. Clarke was ready to march, he found him- 
self at the head of three hundred men, with four hundred 
women and children in their train. He felt obliged to find 
some place of safety for this helpless multitude, and, with 

116 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

provisions for only five days, he commenced a march of two 
hundred miles through a mountainous wilderness, to avoid 
being cut off by the enemy. Though they often lived for 
two days at a time on nuts, the women bore the hunger and 
fatigue without a murmur, all the while cheering with 
their smiles the drooping spirits of the men. 

After many days, weary and footsore, they reached a 
haven of rest among the Blue Kidge mountains, in the 
northern part of JSForth Carolina. The people of that re- 
gion were justly famed for their hospitality, and they re- 
ceived with a hearty welcome the poor refugees, who had 
nothing to recommend them but their poverty and the 
cause in which they suffered. 

They were supplied with clothes, food and shelter. Nor 
was this generosity momentary; it ceased only when there 
was no longer any demand for it. These persecuted wan- 
derers lived in that beautiful region, guarded by the rug- 
ged mountains, until the storm of war had passed, and they 
could safely return to their Georgia homes. 

When the soldiers saw their loved ones safely housed, 
they returned .to the borders of South Carolina, and there 
held themselves in readiness for active service. 

Never was the patriotism of any people more sorely tried 
than that of Georgians during this winter of 1780. Af- 
fairs were at the lowest ebb, while the manhood of our State 
was largely withdrawn beyond her boundaries, doing battle 
for the common cause. 

Hope never entirely dies in the human heart. Among 
the Georgians, it sprang once more into vigorous life^ when 
it was known that — at Gen. Washington's suggestion — 
Gen. Nathaniel Greene had been given command of the 

117 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Soutlierii Department, and was then on his way to ISTorth 
Carolina with Continental troops. His mission was noth- 
ing less than to drive the British out of the Carolinas and 
Georgia. To assist in this service, Gen. Washington took 
from his army his best cavalry officer, Col. Henrv Lee, 
known in the war of the Revolution as "Light-horse Harry." 

In the gloriotis battle of the Cowpens, in South Carolina, 
early in January, 1781, the Georgia troops that were offi- 
cered by Maj. Ctmningham, Capt. George Walton, Capt. 
Hammond and Capt. Joshua Inman, Avere placed in the 
first line and acqtiitted themselves with great gallantry. 
Maj. James Jackson, with his own hands, captured Maj. 
McArthur, commanding officer of the British infantry, and 
at the risk of his life attempted to seize and bear off the 
•colors of the Ylst British regiment. The commanding of- 
ficer in this battle, the gallant Gen. Morgan, upon the bat- 
tle field publicly thanked him for his daring deeds. 

Xot long afterwards, Maj. Jackson, acting under 
authority conferred by Gen. Greene, raised a legion for ser- 
vice in Georgia, and received his commission as Lieut. 
Colonel. Few officers have ever possessed such talent for 
recruiting. His eloquence on these occasions was powerful. 
When he described in burning words the cruelties of tJie 
enemy, the perils and hardships of Georgians, and avowed 
his willingness to share every danger with the men who en- 
listed under him, the effect upon the crowd was irresistible. 
Shouts of "Liberty and Jackson forever!" rent the air, and 
offers of enlistment came from hundreds of lips. 

When Jackson's legion was formed and equipped, it pre- 
sented a singular appearance. In his oaati description of 
it, he said: "My dragoons were clothed and armed by them- 

118 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

selves, except pistols; even their caps, boots and spurs tliey 
brought with them. Their coats were made of dressed deer- 
skins, and tnrned up with the little blue cloth which 1. 
•could procure." As the British used red in their unifonr.s, 
the Whigs adopted blue for their color. 

When Jackson brought his legion to Georgia, their suf- 
ferings were often very great. He wrote: "My whole 
corps were for months without anything to quench their 
thirst but the common swamp water near Savannah, and 
for forty-eight hours together, without bread, rice, or any- 
thing like it." 

When Gen. Greene had pushed the enemy from IS^orth 
Carolina, he carried the war into South Carolina, and then 
Col. Clarke obtained permission to return to Georgia, that 
he might refresh his men and recruit his command. This 
is the picture of the desolation w^hich he found in upper 
Georgia as drawn by Capt. McCall, an eye-witness: "When 
these small parties entered the settlements where they had 
formerly resided, general devastation was presented to their 
■view. Their aged fathers and youthful brothers had been 
hanged and murdered; their decrepit grandfathers were 
incarcerated in prisons where most of them had been suf- 
fered to perish in filth, from famine or disease; their moth- 
•ers, wives, sisters, daughters and young children had been 
robbed, insulted and abused, and were found by them in 
temporary huts, more resembling a savage camp than a 
civilized habitation. The indignant sigh burst from the 
heart of the war-worn veteran, and the manly tear trickled 
■down his cheek as he embraced his suffering relations." 

Col. Browne and Col. Grierson were the men who were 
responsible for these cruel deeds. Imagine, if you can, the 

119 



GEOKGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

feeling towards them of the Georgians of that day ! It 
was hard to show mercy to a Tory who had been active in 
committing outrages, and the law of retaliation seemed a 
necessity. 



120 



CHAPTER XII. 

KE VOLUTION ARY PERIOD. (Continued.) 

As the winter slipped away, the gloom which enveloped 
Georgia began to brighten. Gen. Greene was regarded as 
the great and good genins of the hour, and every one had 
firm confidence in his will and ability to aid them. Now, 
the long-absent soldiers, returning home, assembled in 
force to fight once more for their own families and fire- 
sides. With promise of help from Gen. Greene, the Whigs 
formed their plans to capture Augusta and the lawless To- 
ries who "were the scourge of that whole region. 

Col. Clarke, having had the smallpox, was still suffer- 
ing from its effects, and was too weak to take the field; so^ 
Col. Micajah Williamson was placed in command over his 
forces. On the 16th of April, 1Y81, he led them to Au- 
gusta, and fortified his camp within twelve hundred yards 
of the British works. 

Col. Baker, with all the South Georgia militia he could 
collect, soon joined him, as did Capt. Dun and Capt. Irwin, 
with the Burke county men. Col. James Jackson, with his 
legion, and Col. Hammond, with his Carolina militia, were 
also there. 

For nearly four weeks did these determined men invest 
Augusta, guarding every approach to it, and compelling 
the garrison to remain within their defenses. JSTever for a 

121 • 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

moment relaxing their vigilance, they waited impatiently 
for the promised assistance from Gen. Greene, before 
making an assault upon the British fortifications. 

At last, the militia, destitute of almost every necessary of 
life, wearied of their hard service, and, giving up all hope 
of aid, determined to return to their homes. The fiery elo- 
quence of Col. Jackson roused their drooping spirits, in- 
spired them with hope and courage, and saved them from 
tarnishing the laurels they had already won by deserting 
tli.eir country in a time of such great need. This militia 
afterwards nobly did their part in all the fights around Au- 
gusta. 

Towards the middle of May, Col. Clarke, bringing one 
hundred men, joined the little army. The very sight of 
him inspired among the soldiers confidence in the final suc- 
cess of the enterprise. 

It was at this time that a strong band of Tories collected 
fo reinforce Col. Browne and compel the patriots to raise 
the siege. Without waiting for them to reach Augusta, 
Col. Clarke sent Capt. Shelby and Capt. Carr against them. 
Encountering the Tories at Walker's Bridge, on Brier 
creek, they succeeded in killing and wounding a number 
of them, and dispersing the rest, returning in triumph to 
the camp. 

While this event was happening, Col. Clarke had sent 
all his cavalry horses to Beech Island, where forage was 
plentiful. It was supposed that there was no danger from 
the enemy, so, only six men were sent with them. 

Col. Brov^me, learning this fact, dispatched a party of 
regulars, militia and Indians, down the river, in canoes, to 
-capture them. I'hey succeeded so well in this attempt, 

122 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

that tliey killed all six of the guards. When Capt. Shelby 
and ("apt. Carr were near Mrs. Bugg's plantation, on their 
Teturn from their adventure, thej met this detachment, and, 
in the light which followed, they killed nearly half of the 
enemy and recovered all of Col. Clarke's horses. 

Tt was not long after these successes before the Whig 
army was weakened by having to send a force to the upper 
part of the State, and to South Carolina, to drive back the 
Indians and Tories who were committing depredations upon 
■the frontier. So there was great joy in the camp, when 
Gen, G]-eene sent Gen. Pickens and Col. Lee to their aid. 

Col. Lee was not long in camp before he learned that 
there had recently been received at Fort Galphin, near 
•Silver BlutT, the annual royal presents for the Lidians, con- 
sisting of powder, balls, small arms, salt and blankets. Our 
army needed all these things, and he resolved, if possible, 
to secure them. With the assistance of a certain Capt. 
Itudolph, he accomplished this design, with the loss of only 
one man; this one was not killed, but died from the effects 
•of heat. It was a very sultry morning, and for miles not 
a drop of water had been found. 

Tradition says, that Capt. Rudolph was the famous Mar- 
shal ^ey in disguise. It is certain that there was some 
mystery about him. He was a stranger, and no one 
■ever knew whence he came. "Light-horse Llarry" rested 
a few hours after his successful adventure, and then 
hastened to join Pickens and Clarke in the woods west of 
Augusta. 

Fort Cornwallis, the British stronghold, stood in the cen- 
ter of the town at this time, and Fort Grierson was half a 
anile up the river. 

123 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The first direct attack designed by the Americans was to 
drive Col. Grierson out of the Tort that bore his name, and 
to intercept his command if they attempted to retreat to 
Fort Cornwallis. 

When they appeared before his Fort, Cob Grierson soon 
reahzed that resistance would be useless, so he determined 
to make a break and escape to the town. As soon as the 
gate was thrown open, the whole garrison made a rush to 
the river bank. It was a dangerous attempt, in which very 
few of them succeeded. A British major was among the 
killed, and Col. Grierson among the captured. After 
he had surrendered he was shot by a Georgia rifleman 
whose aged father, while a prisoner, had been treated 
with wanton cruelty by Grierson. So hard and cruel 
was Col. Grierson's character, and so universally was 
he hated, that, although the republican commanders 
offered a reward for the man who committed this deed, no 
disclosure was ever made; yet no one doubted that every 
soldier knew whose hand had pulled the trigger that sped 
the avenging ball. 

When Col. Browne became convinced that the Whigs 
were aided by skillful officers, and that they were all bent 
upon the capture of Augusta, he put forth all his energy 
to make his position more secure. 

With his usual malignity, he placed the venerable Mr. 
Alexander and other Whig prisoners whom he had in the 
Fort, where they would be exposed to the fire of the Ameri- 
can rifles. One of the companies that was closely invest- 
ing Fort Cornwallis was commanded by Capt. Samuel Alex- 
ander, whose father was thus subjected to the chance of 
death by the hand of his own son, 

124 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD 

This Fort was not far from the river, along whose banks 
our men had a safe route. So, it was decided that some 
military works should be erected in that quarter, towards 
the left and rear of the enemy. The soldiers at once began 
to dig trenches. The surrounding ground offered no ele- 
vation which would enable the Americans to bring their 
six-pounders to bear upon the enemy, and a Mayham tower 
had to be erected, upon which to mount the cannon. 

On two successive nights, Col. Browne vigorously en- 
deavored to put a stop to this work. On the second night, 
after a long struggle, Capt. Kudolph drove him into Fort 
Cornwallis, at the point of the bayonet. 

In spite of occasional interruptions, the erection of the 
tower progressed rapidly, and the adjacent works were at 
the same time being actively pushed to completion. The 
American lines in that quarter were doubly manned, Capt. 
Handy's Maryland infantry supporting the militia, and a 
company of musketry being detailed, whose special duty it 
was to defend the Mayham tower. 

Again, Col. Browne made a night attack upon them; 
this being met with a gallant reception from Capt. Rudolph, 
he fell back and assailed the American works in the rear. 
Here Pickens' militia fought him bravely, but were over- 
powered by numbers, and had just been forced out of the 
trenches by bayonets, when Capt. Handy rushed to the. res- 
cue, and drove Col. Browne back into his Fort. On this 
occasion, the loss on both sides exceeded all that had pre- 
viously occurred during the siege, though several desperate 
battles had been fought, in which great military skill was 
displayed by each party. 

125 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

At last, Col. Browne, always fertile in resources, re- 
solved to resort to stratagem to defeat the Americans. 
Xear their tower was an old, wooden honse which had 
served them as a cover when they first began their work^ 
and which they had "neglected to pull down, when it was 
no longer needed. Col. Browne determined to burn it,, 
hoping for the tower to catch fire and be consumed. 

A man, pretending to be a deserter from the British^ 
asked an interview with Col. Lee, and these two held a long 
conversation. This spy was questioned upon many sub- 
jects, but gave ready and satisfactory answers. He said 
that, for a suitable reward, he would direct the cannon- 
ading of the tower to that p5rt of Fort Cornwallis where 
all the powder was deposited. This offer being considered 
a desirable one, was accepted at once, and grog and a good 
supper given the deserter. 

It was nearly midnight before "Light-horse Harry" got 
to bed. He was worn and weary, and knowing that the 
next day would be a busy one, as his soldiers had almost 
completed their Avork, he tried to compose himself to rest. 
It was in vain. He felt uneasy; sleep fled from his eyelids, 
and a presentiment of evil oppressed him. His mind con- 
tinually dwelt upon Col. Browne's evil character, and upon 
the deserter whom he was trusting. At last, he arose and 
gave orders that the stranger should be taken from the 
tower, where he was stationed, and put in confinement. 

IS^ever was there a more fortunate alteration of plans, 
for Col. Browne had sent this man to the American camp 
for the express purpose of destroying the Mayham tower. 

Between Col. Lee's quarters and Fort Cornwallis there 
Avere several houses that had been deserted since the com- 

J26 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

niencemeiit of the siege. The next morning it was found 
that all of them, except the two nearest the Fort, had been 
burned during the night. Our soldiers wondered why the 
enemy had left those standing. 

As soon as the May ham tower was finished, and the can- 
non mounted, the fire from it was so destructive that the 
British soldiers in the Fort had to dig holes in the earth for 
protection. It was almost certain death, if they exposed 
themselves during the day. 

On the 3d of June, all the preparations for an assault 
upon Augusta were completed, and Lee and Pickens, wish- 
ing, if possible, to avoid further bloodshed, summoned CoL 
Bro\vne to surrender. He declined, saying he would de- 
fend his post to the last extremity. 

Col. Lee then issued orders to his army to have every- 
thing ready for a general assault the next morning at nine 
o'clock. That night Pickens sent the best marksmen from 
his militia to the house that had been left standing nearest 
the Fort, to ascertain how many of them could do effective 
work from that point. When their officer had explained 
his plans, they were withdraM^i, but ordered to station them- 
selves there before daybreak. Capt. Handy's troops and 
the infantry of Jackson's legion were to make the main at- 
tack from the river. 

All the preparations for an assault had been completed,, 
and every soldier held himself ready to take his station, 
when, about three o'clock in the morning, the American 
army was startled by a violent explosion. They soon dis- 
covered that it was the house intended to be occupied by 
the riflemen; this was blown thirty or forty feet into the 
air, its fragments falling all over the field. This explained 

127 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

both why Col. Browne did not destroy it with the others 
and what was meant by the constant digging which had 
lately employed his men. He knew the besiegers would 
occupy the house when they were ready to make the as- 
sault, which he rightly concluded would be the next morn- 
ing. Never doubting that the riflemen would spend the 
night in this house, he intended to deprive the Americans 
of their aid, at the same time striking consternation to the 
hearts of their comrades, and discouraging the troops who 
were to make the attack. It was his last move. 

As the American army, armed and equipped, awaited 
the signal to begin ihe assault, their commander made an 
appeal to Col. Browne on behalf of the Whigs who had 
been conlined so long in the Fort, and whose present situa- 
tion was so perilous. It is needless to record that this ap- 
peal was made in vain. 

However, Col. Browne fully realized his desperate situa- 
tion, and before the hour of the attack made an offer of 
surrender on certain conditions. A conference was soon 
arranged, and after twenty-four hours terms were agreed 
upon. At eight o'clock, on the morning of the 5th of 
June, the British garrison marched out of Fort Cornwallis, 
surrendering a large amount of munitions of war, which 
were of great benefit to the patriots. 

Col. Browne expressed himself as highly gratified that 
he had been able to postpone his surrender, as the 4th was 
the anniversary of the birthday of King George. So justly 
odious was he, both to Georgians and Carolinians, that he 
had to be protected from the threatened violence of the 
militia, by a special guard under Gen. Armstrong. He 
^nd a few of his officers who were paroled were sent by 

128 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

Avay of the river to the British in Savannah, as it was not 
considered safe for them to travel through the country, even 
with a strong guard. 

Augusta was now and for many years afterwards the 
only inland town of any importance in Georgia; and when 
it fell into the hands of the patriots, it insured comparative 
safety to the upper part of the State. Col. Jackson was 
given command of the town, because his early exei'tions 
had paved the way for its capture. 

Col. Clarke's wife was at the siege of Augusta, and was 
present when the garrison capitulated. Many of the pris- 
oners taken there and at other places by her gallant husband 
experienced her benevolence and hospitality. She often 
accompanied him in his campaigns, and felt many of the 
vicissitudes of war. Once, when moving from a place of 
danger, where a fight was expected to take place, she had 
two children on her horse when it was shot from under her ; 
but they all escaped unharmed. She saw the glorious day 
when Georgia was free, and lived to be ninety years of age. 

Some time before the siege, a party of Tories had cap- 
tured Stephen Heard in Wilkes county, and carried him in 
irons to Augusta, where he was tried by court-martial for 
being in arms against the King. He was found guilty and 
sentenced to be hung; but for some reason the execution 
was delayed. 

The sad news of the condemnation had quickly reached 
his home, causing great distress among its inmates. Kat& 
— a tall, strong, raw-boned, negro woman who was raucli 
beloved and trusted by the family — consoled her mistress- 
with comforting words and the assurance that she would 
save him. She forthwith set out to Augusta, where she 

9e 129 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

ingratiated herself with the Eritish officers by her fine 
laundry work and resi^ectfiil manners. By some means it 
became known that she belonged to Stephen Heard and 
was attached to him, and the common soldiers delighted to 
torment her by saying he was going to be shot for a rebel. 
The first time Kate heard them say this, she indignantly 

retorted : 

'•Well, when it happens, all of yon had better catch 
some of his blood, mix it with water and drink it. You will 
be better men for having some of his blood in you." 

At last, the faithful Kate found means to conceal her 
master in a quantity of soiled linen, and so convey him out 
.of the i ort. He escaped from Augusta the day before the 
siege commenced, and fought under Clarke and Jackson 
Kate was offered her freedom; but she preferred her old 
home and old friends, and died at an advanced age in the 
bosom of the family she had so well loved and served. ^ 

The capture of Augusta raised the spirits of the Whigs 
to a high degree of satisfaction; Sir James Wright, in Sa- 
vannah, understood its significance so well that he called 
lustilv for help. Lord Kawdon, in South Carolina, weak 
as was his command, parted with a regiment for his support. 
a\■o^^', the faint-hearted among the Whigs became in- 
spired with fresh hope and courage. Coming from their 
liiding-places in the swamps, they joined the ranks of the 
partisan leaders, and brighter days dawned for our much- 
tried State. 

Once more Augusta became our capital, and here the 
Governor and Executive Council again took up their abode. 



130 



CHAPTER XIII. 

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. (Concluded ) 

By the recent success of tLe Eepnblican arms, upper 
Georgia was now under the control of the Whigs; and with 
the assistance of CoL Jackson, Twiggs turned his attention 
to recovering tlie middle and southern parts of tlie State. 
This efficient officer had been advanced in rank for bravery 
and long services, and was now a general. 

In carrying out his part of this plan. Col. Jackson 
marched as far as Ebenezer, skirmishing with the enemy 
by the way; while Gen. Twiggs, with the assistance of 
Irwm, Lewis, Carr, and Jones of Burke county, was rous- 
ing the patriotism of South Georgia, and increasing the 
number of his soldiers. 

The British had always kept military posts at Great 
Ogeechee ferry, and at Sunbury, in order to secure com- 
munication between Savannah and the lower counties. 
Late in October, Col. Jackson started to surprise and cap- 
ture Ogeechee ferry. When not far from it, he fell in 
^vath a British scouting party, captured it without spread- 
mg any alarm, and appeared at the ferry before his presence 
m the neighborhood was known to its commander, Capt. 
Johnson. So suddenly did the Whigs fall upon the White- 
House, which was his principal defense, that he agreed to 
surrender. He was just in the act of handing his sword 

131 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

to Col. Jackson, when one of his officers was killed by th& 
celebrated Patrick Carr. Inferring from this violent act 
that no quarter was to be given, Capt. Johnson sprang upon 
his horse and called on his men to sell their lives as dearly 
as possible. 

ISTerved to desperation, the British fought like tigers, and 
defended the White-House so well that Col. Jackson was 
forced to retreat with the loss of several men. To add tO' 
his chagrin, some of his men, without asking leave, went off 
in search of plunder. 

Col. , Campbell, a British officer, with part of a cavalry 
reginaent, was stationed in this vicinity. Capt. Johnson 
joined him, and together they gave battle to Col. Jackson. 

This officer, placing his infantry in the van, concealed his 
cavalry behind a hummock. As the enemy's cavalry 
charged over this small band of foot soldiers, he hurled his. 
dragoons upon them, when they broke and fled for somo 
distance. Finally, they rallied behind a fence and could 
not be dislodged. 

]S[ow, Col. Jackson, in his turn, was forced to seek pro- 
tection in an adjacent swamp, and, under cover of night, 
to retire towards Ebenezer. Here he was joined by a small 
reinforcement. 

From this time until the cessation of hostilities, he wa& 
occupied in scouring the country for Tories, attacking th& 
foraging parties of the enemy, and restoring to the Whigs 
their property. All this part of the State had been so tram- 
pled upon and plundered by the enemy, that it was often 
difficult to obtain the barest necessaries of life for our 
soldiers. 



132 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

Incited by the British, the Creeks and Cherokees were 
again "on the war path," giving the Whigs much trouble 
and anxiety. While struggling with three foes, British, 
Tories and Indians, the patriots heard with wild delight the 
news of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis' army to Gen- 
Washington. 

Scant justice has been rendered to Georgia's partisan 
leaders for their services beyond their State limits during 
this war. Elijah Clarke and Stephen Heard, battling in the 
Carolinas, had pushed Lord Cornwallis into Virginia, which 
made his surrender a certainty. Let the memories of 
Clarke and Heard be honored by every Georgian ! Two 
:fine counties in our State perpetuate their names. 

The war was now virtually at an end, and the British no 
longer pursued active operations^ but a desultory warfare 
was kept up for some time longer in Georgia. 

As soon as Gen. Greene's success in South Carolina was 
assured, he turned his attention to the further relief of our 
State, sending Gen, Anthony Wayne for this important 
service. He was a popular hero among the American sol- 
diers in the northern army; and from his rashness had ac- 
quired the soubriquet of "Mad Anthony Wayne." His duty 
in Georgia was to stand on the defensive, and, if occasion 
•offered, to attempt the capture of Savannah by a night as- 
sault. 

Ever since our metropolis had been in the hands of the 
British, it had been a favorite resort for the Indians. It 
was here that their deputations were entertained, the royal 
presents distributed, and plans laid for them to harass the 
W^higs. ISTow, their intercourse with the garrison was 
greatly interrupted, as Savannah was practically cut off 

133 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

from the rest of the State hy the watchfulness of the bands 
of patriots stationed around it. 

At this period a very generous policy was adopted by 
our State towards the Tories, free pardon being granted to 
all who would lay do^vn their arms — with the exception of 
those who had been guilty of gross crimes. It was also ear- 
nestly desired to win over the Indians. Maj. HaFersham 
was sent to conciliate those who lived about Savannah. 
His mission was a failure, through the disobedience of a 
lieutenant, who, with a party of mounted militia, attacked 
a small band and killed several of them. 

Gen. Alured Clarke, who, at this time, was the British 
commander at Savannah, sent messengers among the most 
important tribes of the two Indian nations, asking their 
assistance. 

In the meantime, a party of Creeks on their way to 
Savannah, to trade, had been overtaken by Gen. Wayne. 
He treated them very kindly, explained to them how little 
power the British now had in Georgia, and dismissed them 
to their homes with presents. Many of them, impressed by 
his talk, were inclined to make peace. 

There was, however, a chief among them named Gu-ris- 
ter-sigo, who, after reaching home, gathered around him 
three hundred warriors, determined to go to Savannah in 
response to Gen. Clarke's request. So secret were the 
movements of this bold chief, that he marched through the 
whole length of the State, unperceived, and fell upon the 
rear of the American army that was camped about seven 
miles from Savannah. 

Gen. "Wayne, only thinking of one enemy, and that the 
garrison in the town, had not burdened his troops with pro- 

134 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

tecting their rear. So, at three o'clock one morning, a few 
daring Indians crept towards his camp, thinking it was the 
advance picket-gnard, and not the main body of troops; 
dashing upon the sentinel, they murdered him before he 
could give the alarm. Then the whole Indian force boldly 
advanced. 

The American soldiers rushed to arms, and Gen. Wayne 
sprang to his horse, thinking that the whole British garrison 
from Savannah was in his camp. Ordering his men to 
charge with the bayonet, he yelled, ''Death or Victory !" 
His horse was shot and fell under him, but with sword in 
hand, he advanced at the head of a portion of his infantry. 
Rifles and tomahawks were of little avail when opposed by 
the bayonet in close quarters, and Gu-ris-ter-sigo soon lay 
dead upon the ground, with his warriors flying in confusion, 
having abandoned one hundred and seventeen pack-horses, 
loaded with peltry. 

]S[ot until then did Gen. "Wayne discover that his 
foes were not from Savannah ; he scattered his troops in 
every direction, in pursuit, but they could capture only 
twelve of the Indians : the remainder reached their distant 
homes in safety. 

All through the Revolutionary war privateers and small 
government vessels were actively employed upon our sea- 
coast. Occasionally they captured a i^^ritish vessel loaded 
with West India produce or munitions of war. The numer- 
ous inlets along our coast affording no great depth of water, 
enabled our privateers to escape capture when chased by 
large amied vessels. Our State depended upon these small 
ships for its sugar, salt and other necessary articles. Natur- 
ally the supply was uncertain and irregular. At one time, 

135 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

salt sold for two dollars a quart, and planters cured their 
meat vnth ashes and red pepper; a hint obtained from the 
Indians. 

Onr State had been so impoverished by the British and 
Tories, that, at this time, the Governor and his family lived 
on rations issued by the commissary. 

After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, the British par- 
liament began to listen to the voice of reason, and steps were 
taken towards the establishment of peace. A profound 
sensation was produced in Savannah when the order was re- 
ceived to evacuate the town and the whole province. Sir 
James Wright at once opened negotiations with Gov. 
Martin ; and the British merchants, through their represent- 
ative, Maj. Hale, had an interview with Gen. Wayne. 

The terms offered the whilom enemy were very gener- 
ous, and were conducted on the part of the State by Maj. 
John Habersham, a native of the town, and a gentleman 
whose character was respected by friend and foe. Every 
person who chose to remain in Savannah was assured of 
safety for his person and property. Many British subjects 
who resided there with their families accepted the situation 
and became good citizens of the State. Those whose atro- 
cious conduct during the war would have placed their lives 
in jeopardy if they had been tried by the civil authorities — 
among whom was the notorious Col. Browne — ^made their 
preparations to leave Georgia with the British soldiers who 
had encouraged and protected them. They despoiled the 
country when they left, carrying with them many negroes, 
and much personal property which had been plundered 
from the Whigs during the long years of war, and in the 
distant homes to which they escaped our enemies enjoyed 

their ill-gotten gains. 

136 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

On the lltli day of July, 17S2, the British army left 
Savannah. With their departure, there lingered on Geor- 
gia soil not a single servant of the King. So ended our first 
war for the right of self-government. 

At two o'clock in the afternoon of this memorable day, 
Gen. Wayne took possession of the town; but before he en- 
tered it. Col. James Jackson was honored with the distinc- 
tion of receiving the keys of Savannah from a committee 
of British oiScers. At the head of his ever faithful cavalry, 
he had the proud satisfaction of being the first American 
officer, who, in actual command, had been within the limits 
of Savannah since the patriots were forcibly expelled in 
1778. He received this handsome compliment for the 
patriotism and gallantry he had displayed on all occasions 
during the war, and for severe and fatiguing service as lead- 
er of the army's vanguard in marching on Savannah. The 
patriots living there, who had been so long separated from 
their friends, received our soldiers with tears of joy and 
gratitude. 

Tliree weeks after the evacuation of Savannah, Gov. Mar- 
tin had taken up his abode there and called a meeting of the 
Legislature. 

The thirteen Colonies — for this occasion uniting as one 
government — sent five commissioners to Paris to meet an 
equal number of British representatives and make a treaty. 
A cessation of hostilities between the two countries was pro- 
claimed on the 19th of April, 1783. In the final treaty, 
Georgia was mentioned by name, and recognized by King 
George, "for himself, his heirs and successors, to be a free, 
sovereign and independant State," all claim to its govern- 
ment and territory being relinquished. 

137 



GEORGIA LAND AND FEOPi.E. 

Thiis, through much tribulation, after seven weary years 
of strife and poverty — during which the firebrand, the 
sword and the tomahawk had been her portion — did Geor- 
gia win tlie prize for ^"^hich she had been striving : Liberty. 

Every true Georgian thinks with gratitude and pride of 
the men who, with more than Roman virtue, endured the 
cruel vicissitudes of this war, and won our indepencience. 



138 



CHAPTER XIV. 

A SOYEEEIGN STATE. 
1783—1799. 

At the close of the Revolutionary war Georgia was in a 
miserable condition. At least one half of the available 
property of her people had been swept away; agriculture 
was almost at a standstill; there was no money to repair 
losses, and the State was full of widows and orphans; but, 
there was no repining, for this was the price they had will- 
ingly paid for liberty. Then, too, her boundaries were 
not well defined, either on the north, east, or south, and 
the Indians still owned large tracts of land within her limits. 

So, the young State faced many difficult problems, but 
right manfully did her sons begin to lay the foundations 
for future prosperity, each one cheerfully sharing the bur- 
den of his neighbor. 

The States, which had lately been loosely bound together 
to resist a common enemy, now determined to unite under 
one government for mutual protection, in order to facilitate 
their relations with foreign countries, and for other minor 
reasons; each one, however, retaining its separate sover- 
eignty. 

The war had been over for nearly five years when Geor- 
gia adopted the Federal constitution, with the guaranty that 
her rights and property should always be respected and pro- 
tected. She was a slave-holding State when this step was 

139 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

taken, but no objection was made, on that account, to her 
admittance into the Union, as the sisterhood of States was 
popularly called. 

At one time all the Colonies owned slaves. The climate, 
soil and industrial interests of the North were such, that 
slave labor could not be made profitable, so they were sold 
to the South, where, under brighter skies, they could work 
during the entire year. However, JSTew England mer- 
chants and ISJ'ew England ships continued to carry on the 
slave trade, bringing negroes from Africa at every oppor- 
tunity. Georgia prohibited this traffic within her boun- 
daries, and was the first State to make the prohibition a part 
of her Constitution. 

The Confederated States began their new government 
under Gen. George Washington as first President. The 
national legislature was called Congress. Each State, under 
the Federal constitution, sent members to this Assembly. 
The Senators represented the sovereignty of the State, and 
the Eepresentatives the people. 

Of all the religious sects in our State at this time, to the 
Hebrew Congregation in Savannah, alone belongs the 
honor of having sent a congratulatory letter to Gen. Wash- 
ington when he became President; Avhich letter he grace- 
fully acknowledged. 

The first minister to Great Britain from this young na- 
tion, the United States, was John Adams of Massachusetts. 
Gen. Oglethorpe, now ninety-five years old, for the love he 
bore Georgia, felt an interest in the whole country, and was 
the first English nobleman to call upon Mr. Adams and pay 
him the respect due to his high official position. 



140 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

The machinery of our State government was now in full 
operation; temples of justice and religion were once more 
opened in the land, provision was made for public educa- 
tion, and Georgia entered upon her career as a sovereign 
State, and at the same time a member of a Federation of 
States. 

Our Legislature, always quick to appreciate and reward 
services to Georgia, had presented Col. Jackson with an ele- 
gant mansion in Savannah; Gen. Wayne with 840 acres of 
land, and Gen. Greene with 2171 acres. This was all con- 
fiscated property, once owned by loyalists. The gift to 
Gen. G^reene was an improved and beautiful plantation, 
fourteen miles above Savannah, named Mulberry Grove. 
Here, after the turmoil of war, he retired with his family to 
enjoy the delights of a home which he preferred to the one 
he owned in his native State, Rhode Island. He died in 
1786, from sunstroke, and was buried on the estate. 

His widow continued to reside at this stately home, where 
Eli Whitney came as tutor to her children. He often Heard 
Mrs. Greene complain of the tedious process of picking by 
hand the seed from cotton. Sometimes she would play- 
fully entreat him, as he possessed some mechanical talent, 
to devise a quicker way to accomplish this disagreeable task. 
Thus stimulated, he invented the cotton-gin, a machine 
which has immensely increased the cotton industry of the 
world. 

For several years after the war was over, the Creeks and 
Cherokees continued to make frequent forays into our fron- 
tier settlements, causing much alarm and trouble. The 
Creeks overran the whole country, from the Altamaha river 
to the St. Mary's, and the inhabitants had to flee from the 
mainland to the islands. 

141 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

In the many skirmishes which took place, the Indians 
were generally worsted, but they committed great depreda- 
tions, and the war-worn veterans of the Revolution could 
not yet lay aside their muskets. At length, some of the 
influential Chiefs were persuaded to visit New York, where 
President Washington had a conference with them, at 
which they were induced to make a treaty. So the Geor- 
gians and their Indian neighbors buried the hatchet and 
smoked together the calumet of peace. 

Although our State labored under peculiar difficulties 
for a considerable period after independence was obtained, 
our forefathers were not unmindful of the great subject of 
education. In Georgia's first Constitution, adopted a few 
months after the Declaration of Independence, it was de- 
clared that, '"Schools shall be erected in each county and 
supported at the general expense of the State." Our JJni- 
versity, located at Athens, is the oldest in the United States, 
south of Virginia. The charter was granted in 1785, the 
preamble to which will ever stand a monument to the wis- 
dom and patriotism of the Legislature that granted it. The 
college was endowed with 40,000 acres of land, which, for 
a long time, was unsalable. The first commencement day 
of the Georgia University was Thursday, May 3ist, 1804, 
and the number of graduates that year was nine. The ex- 
ercises were held under an arbor erected on the campus. 
This piece of ground, the gift of Gov. Milledge, contains 
forty-four acres, and, by restriction of the Legislature, can 
never be diminished. As high as Milledge, Jackson and 
Baldwin stand for their political services to the State, their 
zeal and labor in behalf of the University add still more to 
their fame. 

142 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Savannah had been the capital of Georgia from its first 
settlement; bnt in the year 1786 the seat of government 
was moved to Louisville, in Jefferson county, because that 
town was more centrally located ; it at once became a place 
of importance. 

A memorable event in the annals of our young State, 
was the visit of the first President. Entering Georgia 
through South Carolina, he embarked, mth his suite, at 
PuiTVsburg and was rowed down the river, directly to 
Savannah, by nine Americjin captains. They were dressed 
in silk jackets of light blue, black satin breeches, white silk 
stockings, and round hats with black ribbons, bearing in 
letters of gold the words : "Long live the President." 

He was welcomed by a great crowd, with joyful shouts 
and salutes from the Chatham artillery. He was the guest 
of Savannah, and was escorted by a procession of military 
and citizens to the house prepared for his entertainment. 

At night the town was illuminated, and there was a suc- 
cession of dinners and balls during his stay. The festivi- 
ties ended with a grand open air banquet, under a beautiful 
arbor supported by three rows of pillars which were entirely 
covered with laurel and bay leaves. The situation com- 
manded a fine view of the town and of the shipping in the 
harbor, with an extensive prospect of the river and the rice 
lands both above and below the town. A May sun lent 
color to this glorious scene; but the principal charm of the 
structure and its situation was, that it afforded this great 
mass of people a distinct view of the man whom they all de- 
lighted to honor. 

Two hundred citizens and strangers dined under this 
arbor, and enjoyed "a degree of convivial and harmonious 

1-13 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

mirth rarely experienced." The artillery company which 
had taken so conspicuous a part in the festivities, dined 
under another arbor erected at a short distance. They won 
great applause for the dexterity displayed in firing their 
guns as each toast was given. Each salute was answered 
by the guns at Fort Wayne and those on a beautifully decor- 
ated ship which was moored opposite the arbor. 

Washington was deeply interested in examining the Brit- 
ish defenses around Savannah and hearing from eye-wit- 
nesses an account of the siege. When his visit was over 
and he started for Augusta, he was escorted by a detach- 
ment of Augusta dragoons under Maj. Ambrose Gordon, 
and attended beyond the limits of Savannah by a number 
of its prominent citizens. 

At Spring Hill, of mournful and bloody memory, he was 
received by Col. Jackson, with the artillery and light in- 
fantry companies. These were drawn up to salute him 
with discharges from their field pieces, and with thirteen 
volleys of platoons — one for each State. 

Amidst all this gaiety and homage Washington remem- 
bered the widow of Gen. Greene. With a courtesy inhe- 
rent in his nature, he turned aside to pay his respects to her 
at Mulberry Grove. 

When the President was within five miles of Augusta, 
he was met by Edward Telfair, the Governor, accompanied 
by Twiggs, Walton, and other prominent men at the head 
of a procession. Washington alighted from his coach to 
receive them, and rode the remaining distance on horse- 
back, with this large company as an escort. The Governor 
concluded his address of welcome with these words : "You 
have immortalized your name throughout the nations of the 

144 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

world, and created an unbounded confidence in jour vir- 
tue, with the strongest attachment to your person and fam- 
ilv, in the minds of American citizens." 

He was brilliantly entertained near the toA\Ti at Gov. 
Telfair's private residence called ''The Grove." 

Arrived at Augusta, the President was received with en- 
thusiasm, and there were military displays, dinners and 
balls in his honor. The citizens gave an elegant banquet, 
which was served in the court-house. In the evening there 
was, a ball at the academy which was attended by the largest 
number of ladies ever seen in Augusta up to that time. 

The next morning Washington attended an examination 
of students at the academy, and was highly pleased with 
their proficiency. He asked for a list of the young orators 
of the occasion, and upon his return home sent each of 
them a book. One of these boys, Augustus Clayton, was 
a member of the first class that graduated at the University, 
and became a prominent man. His book from Pres. Wash- 
ington was a copy of "Cresar's Commentaries." 

The President was escorted out of Georgia with the same 
honor and military display with which he had been wel- 
comed, leaving many pleasant memories behind him. Soon 
after he left our State, he sent a gift of two six-pounder 
bronze cannon to the Chatham Artillery. Upon one of 
them is inscribed the words : ''Surrendered by the capitu- 
lation of York Town, October nineteenth, 1781," together 
with the motto and crgwn of Great Britain. These cannon,, 
in honor of the giver, were called "The Washington Guns," 
and are still the pride of this company, now the oldest mili- 
tary organization in our State. 

10f{ 145 



CHAPTER XV. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued). 
1783—1799. 

Only a few years after tliese pleasant events, Georgia be- 
came a prey to the wildest excitement over what was called 
the Yazoo Fraud. This was the name popularly applied 
to the sale of a large part of the State's western territory, 
which then extended to the Mississippi river. 

A few men of wealth and family influence saw an oppor- 
tunity to obtain immense tracts of land for a small sum of 
money. They employed active and cunning agents to in- 
terest members of the Legislature in their scheme and thus 
present it in an attractive light to the people. They suc- 
<ceeded so well, that the fire of speculation soon kindled into 
a blaze. Judges, congressmen, generals, and many promi- 
nent men in Georgia and other States were induced to aid 
them. Col. Jackson was at this time United States senator 
from Georgia. He was told by an eminent judge that he 
might have any number of acre&— even to half a million— 
if he M^ould lend his influence to the scheme. Jackson re- 
plied that he had fought for Georgia; the land was hers; 
and if they ever succeeded in gaining their ends, he, for one, 
would consider the sale illegal. 

The conspirators resorted to every expedient to gull the 
public and keep honest men from being elected to the Legis- 

146 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

lature, and tliej iJartiallj succeeded in tlieir efforts. When 
the Legislature met, many of the members belonged to the 
speculators, many others were bribed, and the act was easily 
passed. John Eutherford, of Washington county, and five 
other legislators raised their voices in protest, and voted 
against it; but the bill was signed by Gov. Matthews, then 
serving his second term as chief magistrate, and the sale of 
this land began. 

Our Governor was a very odd character. He had fought 
through the Eevolutionary war, winning high reputation, 
both in his native Virginia and in Georgia. Shortly after 
peace was declared he moved to our State and settled the 
famous Goose Pond tract of land on Broad river, at once 
becoming a leading man. 

He had been inured to dangers from his youth, first fight- 
ing the Indians, then the British; so, he had found but little 
time in his stirring life for attending school. While he 
w^as our Governor he dictated his messages to his Secretary, 
and then sent them to Mr. Francis Simmons, an Irish 
schoolmaster, "to have the grammar corrected." He com- 
menced the word Congress with a K, and spelt coffee 
kauphy. He always spoke of his military services as unsur- 
passed except by Gen. Washington, and would never admit 
that any other man was his superior. 

His ordinary dress was a three-cornered, cocked hat, fair- 
top boots, and a full-ruffled shirt; occasionally a long sword 
was worn by his side. 

While John Adams was President, he recommended 
Matthews to the Senate, for Governor of the Mississippi Ter- 
ritory, but withdrew his name when he found that there 
was great opposition to his appointment because he had 

147 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

signed the Yazoo Act. Learning tliese particulars, Mat- 
thews at once set out on horseback for Phihidelphia to chas- 
tise the President. When he reached that city he went 
directly to Mr. Adams' honse, hitched his horse, and gave a 
thundering knock at the door. His three-cornered hat was 
on his head, and his revolutionary sword by his side. AVhen 
the servant appeared, he asked to see the President. He 
was told that the President was engaged, to which he re- 
plied: "I presume it is your business to carry messages to 
the President. !Now, if you do not immediately inform 
him that a gentleman wishes to speak to him your head 
will answer the consequences." This obtained for him a 
speedy admittance. 

AVhen he entered the room where the President was 
seated, he said : "I presume you are Mr. Adams, President 
of the United States." 

The President bowed, and he continued : "My name is 
Matthews, sometimes called Gov. Matthews; well known, 
however, at the battle of Germantown as Col. Matthews 
of the Virginia line. Now, sir, I understand that you nom- 
inated me in the Senate of the United States to be governor 
of the Mississippi Territory, and that afterwards you took 
back the nomination. Sir, if you had known me, you 
would not have taken the nomination back. If you did not 
know me, you should not have nominated me to so impor- 
tant an office. jSTow, sir, unless you can satisfy me, your 
station of President of these United States shall not screen 
you from my vengeance." 

Mr. Adams, with right good will, set about satisfying 
him, which was the more quickly accomplished as he found 
Matthews to be, like himself, a Federalist in politics. He 

148 



A soverp:ign state. 

promised to appoint his son Supervisor of the public reve- 
nue in Georgia, at which Gov. Matthews expressed himself 
as highly gratified, saying : "My son John is a man about 
my inches, with the advantage of a liberal education, and 
for his integrity I pledge my head." 

During the administration of Gov. Matthews there was 
often much trouble with the Indians ; and his resolute spirit 
contributed in no small degree to controlling their violence. 

When the disgraceful transactions connected v/ith pass- 
ing the Yazoo Act were whispered around and the particu- 
lars partly divulged, Georgia was a perilous place of resi- 
dence for all known to be connected therewith. Popular 
indignation ran so high that a member of the State Senate 
fled to South Carolina to avoid being tied to a tree and 
flogged; but he was followed and killed by some of his 
constituents. All the suspected legislators kept in hiding, 
not daring to appear in public. 

Jackson's opj)Osition to this gigantic speculation was well 
known. He spoke of it in Congress as "a conspiracy of the 
darkest character, and deliberate villainy" ; so his indignant 
State now called him to her aid. He resigned his seat in 
Congress, became a candidate for the Legislature, and the 
leader of the people in their determination to overturn the 
whole business. Other patriots stepped forward to his as- 
sistance, and addressed the people on the impolicy and ille- 
gality of the sale. 

In almost every county, anti- Yazoo men were elected, 
"When the Legislature met in Louisville, their first work 
was to attack this fraud. Petition upon petition poured in 
from every quarter, praying them to annul the abominable 



149 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

law, and proclaim to the world tlieir abhorrence of the act 
which had bartered away their estate. 

So all the acts authorizing the sale were repealed, and 
the purchase money ordered to be returned. Jared Irwin, 
as Governor, had the honor of signing the act rescinding 
the Yazoo law. 

It was considered right for the records and documents 
pertaining to the sale to be destroyed, that no monument of 
its wickedness should remain. So, in the presence of the 
Governor and both branches of the Legislature, with a large 
assembly of citizens looking on, a fire was kindled in the 
public square by the use of a lens, and the records and docu- 
ments were burned, "with a consuming fire from heaven," 
to use the words of one who witnessed the dramatic scene. 
As the papers were committed to the flames by the messen- 
ger of the Legislature, he cried in a loud and decisive voice : 

'^God save the State, and long 'preserve her rights, and 
may every attempt to injure them perish, as these ivicked 
and corrupt acts now do.^' 

The men who had labored for this happy event were both 
from the seaboard and the up-country, many of them vet- 
erans of the Revolution. Some of them had been members 
of the cori-upted Legislature, but they had resisted with 
scorn both persecutions and threats, and now reaped their 
reward in the grateful honor with which their fellow-citi- 
zens regarded them. 

Col. Benjamin Taliaferro, a Virginian, but, after the war 
ended, a citizen of Georgia, was one of the purest men who 
ever lived. He was tall and handsome, and a man of fine 
judgment. The Legislatiire paid to his integrity the singu- 
larly high compliment of electing him a judge of the supe- 

150 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

rior Court, altliougli lie had never read fifty pages of law. 
The members of the bar who had the necessary leammg, or 
were willing to accept the office, had been more or less con- 
cerned in the Yazoo fraud, and were therefore ineligible. 
Col. Taliaferro had often been a member of the Legislature, 
and had served as President of the Senate. 

The land jobbers tried in many mean and secret ways 
to drive the new judge from the Bench. Failing in these 
efforts, they finally agi-eed that one of them, upon some 
frivolous pretence, should challenge him to a duel, suppos- 
ing that, as he had been a prominent officer in the army, his 
military opinions would compel him to fight, and he would 
resign his judgeship. They were mistaken. He accepted 
the challenge, but did not resign his position. 

Then they resorted to a novel expedient to prevent the 
keeping of his appointment. His romantic attachment to 
his wife was well known, being the* result of a very inter- 
esting love tale. So, a great display was made of preparing 
for the duel by practising within sight and hearing of pretty 
Martha Meriwether, with the intention of so frightening 
her as to make it impossible for her husband to meet his 
challenger. They were again mistaken in their calcula- 
tions. While they were practising at a mark, Mrs. Talia- 
ferro was helping the judge to put in order the cavalry pis- 
tols which he had used when he fought in Georgia and Caro- 
lina with '^Light-horse Harry." 

When he met his opponent, the pistol which had been 
oiled by his devoted wife, sent its ball so near to the specu- 
lator's heart, that he declined exchanging a second shot. 
After this, Judge Taliaferro's enemies ceased to annoy him. 
Georgia never had on the Bench a man who gave greater 

151 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

satisfaction. Later on he became a congressman. He is 
the only man who ever declined to accept, when nominated 
as Governor of Georgia. A county in our State is named 
for him. 

The Revolutionary war had left many Virginians penni- 
less and restless in spirit. How to improve their condition 
was a grave question. In this crisis, Georgia held out most 
seductivg offers of land, wliich could be obtained without 
any cost except the expense of surveying. A large num- 
ber of emigrants, chiefly from Virginia, Xorth Carolina, 
and South Carolina, availed themselves of this opportunity 
to procure valuable homes. Most of them were poor, but 
of good lineage; and wdiere indigence was so general, pov- 
erty brought no sense of shame. Intellect, energy and no- 
ble virtues alone placed a man above his fellows. 

The work of clearing and cultivating the land was done 
under care of sentinels and scouts, whose duty it was to 
warn the laborers of any hostile Indians lurking in their 
vicinity. Every precaution was taken against these dusky 
foes, but the silent, unerring arrow often found its way to 
the heart of a sentinel, and then the men at work would be 
surprised and shot doAvn with muskets. 

These pioneers of middle and upper Georgia lived at first 
in log houses, w-hich were built by the aid of neighbors. 
Any man would have considered it an insult, had money been 
offered him for this friendly service. When the trees were 
felled and cut into the right lengths for building purposes, 
the whole neighborhood was asked to help in what was 
called a log-rolling, and the skeleton of a simple log cottage 
was soon erected. A good dinner was always provided for 
the occasion, and, when the day's work was done, the young 
people had a frolic at night. 

lo2 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

As soon after the Revolutionary war as was practicable, a 
proposal had been made in the Methodist Conference of 
Virginia for preachers to volunteer their services in Geor- 
gia. Of those who offered, two were accepted — Thomas 
Humphries and John Major. The latter, on account of 
his plaintive style of preaching, was called the "Weeping 
Prophet." He founded the first Methodist church in Geor- 
gia. Among its early ministers, the most noted was the 
Rev. Hope Hull, who made an impression that will remain 
for genei'ations to come. The Episcopal and Presbyterian 
churches were coeval with the settlement of the colony. 

As this period drew to a close Georgia adopted, in 1Y98, 
her third Constitution. This was made necessary by her 
having joined the Federal Union; and, with some amend- 
ments, it was continued in force until 1861. 

Frequent conflicts with the Indians kept alive in Geor- 
gia a warlike spirit, and personal courage was considered a 
man's greatest virtue. Without it no public man could 
keep the respect of the people. At this time Gen. Elijah 
Clarke and his son John, afterwards Governor, were the 
leaders of public opinion in upper Georgia, as Col. James 
Jackson was in Southern Georgia. Newspapers were so 
few that they could not form public opinion, as they now 
do. The masses received their political education from the 
stump speeches of public men, and oratory was a gift much 
cultivated and lionored. 

It must not be forgotten that, at this time, the Cherokees 
still owned northwestern Georgia, and the Creeks a large 
territory in their portion of the State. 

The inhabitants of upper Georgia, purely an agricultural 
people, lived with republican simplicity. All their provi- 

153 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

sions were raised at home, except sugar and coffee, of which 
thej bought a small supply. A cotton patch furnished 
clothing for the household. In each neighborhood there 
were religious services every Sunday, which afforded their 
best opportunity for social intercourse. Court was held 
tvdce a year at each village county-seat, and was attended 
by every man who could spare the time. 

These homespun-clad people were industrious and God- 
fearing. W. H. Sparks justly says : ''Perhaps, in no coun- 
try or community was the maxim of good old Solomon more 
universally practised upon than in this part of Georgia, fifty 
years ago. Filial obedience and deference to age was the 
first lesson. 'Honor thy father and thy mother that thy 
days may be long in the land,' was familiar to the ears of 
the children before they could lisp their a b c's. Under the 
training of such parents, whose chief characteristic was a 
stern honesty, grew up the remarkable men who have shed 
such lustre upon the State of Georgia." 



The towns settled during this period were Athens, Elber- 
ton, Sparta, Warrenton, Greenesborough and Washington. 
The latter was the first town in the United States named for 
George Washington. 



154 



CHAPTER XVI. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 
1800—1810. 

Georgia's illustrious son, James Jackson, had. held almost 
every important office in the State, and was a member of 
the Convention that framed the third Constitution, of 
v^hich he wrote the greater part. When this decade opened 
he had been Governor for a year. 

In 1801 Jackson was sent to the United States Senate, 
and Josiah Tattnall was elected Governor. He was the son 
of Col. Tattnall, and was born near Savannah, at Bonaven- 
ture the beautiful home of his grandfather. Col. Mulryne. 
Col. Tattnall was an officer in the British colonial service, 
and his military character was high. He was opposed to 
the position that Georgia took against Great Britain, but 
loved her as his adopted country, and would not take up 
arms against her. As, at that time, no neutrals were toler- 
ated, he had to leave our State, and returned to England 
with his family. 

His son Josiah, then only eleven years old, was put at 
Eton, one of the great schools of England. Everything 
possible was done to wean his heart from his native Geor- 
gia, but without success. "When he was eighteen years of 
age, having, unknown to his family, procured a little money 
from his godfather, he left England and found his way 
back to the land he loved so well. The war was about clos- 

155 



GEOKGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

iiig', as he joined Gen. Wayne at Ebenezer. "When Savan- 
nah was evacuated by the British, he was placed in office, 
and continued, during life, to hold positions of trust. 

He was a member of the Legislature that rescinded the 
Yazoo Act. Being a determined foe of that disgraceful 
speculation, he was the leader against it m the Senate, as 
was Jackson in the Lower House. So convinced was this 
Legislature of his ardent devotion to the interests of his 
State, that they elected him United States Senator to serve 
out Jackson's term. It was believed that the speculators, 
having been defeated in Georgia, would renew in Congress 
the war against her rights, and Tattnall's talents and influ- 
ence would be needed to defend them. 

When he was elected Governor he was one of the most 
popular men in the State. To show their high apprecia- 
tion of the purity of his character, and for his great public 
services, the Legislature took from the confiscation act the 
name of his father, and restored to him all the rights of 
citizenship. Gov. Tattnall had the inexpressible pleasure 
of signing the act acquitting his father — the only act ever 
approved by a governor of Georgia with words of comment 
before his signature. It was an expression of gratitude to 
his State for the consideration shown his father. A three- 
fold honor was conferred upon Gov. Tattnall at this time; 
he was inaugurated chief magistrate of his State, was made 
a brigadier-general, and a new county was laid off and 
given his name. Thus did Georgia delight to show appre- 
ciation for her devotod son ! 

One of the most striking evidences of harmony between 
the sisterhood of States was the ceding of their western 
lands to the Federal Government. In this surrender of 

156 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

territory, Georgia, then the largest State in the Union, gave 
up almost 100,000 square miles, embracing all the land 
lying between the Chattahoochee and Mississippi rivers. 
This territory afterwards formed the two noble States, Ala- 
bama and Mississippi, which are called ''The Daughters of 
Georgia." 

"One of the objects of this grant of land was to enable the 
Federal Government to obtain money by its sale for pay- 
ing off the national debt contracted during the war. In 
return, as a slight compensation to Georgia, the Federal 
Government agreed to jDay all expenses of holding treaties 
with the Creeks and Cherokees, and, finally, to extinguish 
the Indian title to all lands held within our State as early 
as it could be peaceably done. 

The women of Georgia, M^ho were thrown upon their own 
resources for support and protection during the war, had 
developed great energy and enterprise. At this early period, 
our State could boast of a woman editor, Mrs. Ilillhouse, of 
Wilkes county. Upon the death of her husband she took 
charge of his paper, called the "Monitor and Impartial 
Observer," and conducted it with great success. The 
Journal of the House of Representatives was printed in her 
office, and sent to Louisville, our capital. 

It was about this time that our State suffered the irrep- 
arable loss of her noble son, James Jackson, who died in 
Washington City while serving as senator. When he felt 
that his life was almost finished, he said that, if his heart 
could be opened, Georgia would be found written there. 
What a noble sentiment ! Treasure it in your hearts, O' 
youth of Georgia ! 



157 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

In 1807 the seat of government was moved to Milledge- 
ville, a town then in the center of the State, surrounded by 
a fertile and beautiful cotton country. It was named for 
Gov. Milledge, a soldier of the Revolution, and a man, it 
will be remembered, who had rendered other important 
sei-vices to the State. Mr. Meigs, first President of the Uni- 
versity of Georgia, addressing a letter to him at this time, 
wrote of the college: "Yoiu* institution has taken a strong 
root and will flourish; and I feel some degree of pride in 
reflecting that a century hence, when this nascent village 
shall embosom a thousand of the Georgia youths pursuing 
the paths of science, it will now and then be said, that you 
gave this land, and I was on the forlorn hope." 

From the time Milledgeville became our capital, it was 
an active center for the making of Georgia history. 

The two Indian nations had now become objects of 
national interest, and there was much talk about converting 
them to Christianity. Northern missionaries were con- 
stantly making efforts to reside among them; but they met 
with little encouragement. It was early in this decade that 
a chief — in ]\{urray county — made a wagon, the first one 
ever built by an Indian. He was severely censured by the 
Council, and the use of any such vehicle was forbidden the 
tribe. The Council said : ''If you have wagons, you must 
have roads; and, if wagon-roads, then the Whites will be 
among us." The Indians disregarded this mandate. 

After Georgia ceded all her western territory to the 
United States, the Yazoo question was transferred to the 
Federal Government; but it left upon our State ]3olitics an 
impression that lasted a score of years, and had its influence 
on all public men. The population of the State was rapidly 

158 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

increasing, and young aspirants for fame, who were on the 
popular side, were pushed rapidly forward; among these 
the most noted was William Harris Crawford. 

As a young lawyer he settled in the county of Ogle- 
thorpe, and by his talents and remarkable attention to busi- 
ness he soon won a great following — a majority of the peo- 
ple supporting his opinions. He hated the Yazoo fraud 
and was an ardent admirer of Thomas Jefferson's political 
creed, both of which sentiments were extremely popular in 
Georgia. 

Thus, young Crawford soon became the rival of the two 
Clarkes, father and son, who were suspected of being im- 
plicated in the great fraud, and who, in politics, were Feder- 
alists — that is, they loved the Federal Government better 
than they did Georgia, and were willing to give it their first 
allegiance. 

l^aturally, a feud sprang up between Crawford and the 
younger Clarke, which extended to their followers. It 
was not long before Crawford had fought two duels. At 
this time duelling was thought to be the honorable way of 
settling all difficulties between gentlemen. If Crawford 
had refused to fight, he would have been considered lacking 
in personal bravery, and this would have ruined his political 
career. 

Crawford and young Clarke each had his army of follow- 
ers. The feud between them, and between the two factions 
which grew out of it, for forty years tainted with ignoble 
prejudices the politics of Georgia. There were many 
young men of remarkable talents just rising into distinction 
in the learned professions, and they were necessarily ab- 
sorbed by the two factious. 

15!) 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Crawford had practised law but a short while when he 
laid aside the green bag, and for four years represented his 
county in the Legislature. Then he was elected to the 
United States Senate, became prominent as a politician, and 
was soon considered one of the great men of Congress. 
While in the councils of the nation, he gave great satisfac- 
tion to his State in all that he said and did. 

Thomas W. Cobb, of CV)lumbia county, took Crawford's 
place at the Georgia bar. In early life he followed his 
leader to Congress; ultimately he became a judge of the 
superior court, then the highest judicial tribunal of the 
State. He was deeply versed in legal lore, very eloquent, 
and fascinating in private intercourse. 

It was a gi'eat honor in Georgia, at this time, to be elected 
to Congress, and none dared present themselves for this 
high position, unless they were men of superior character 
and talents, whose names had become familiar for services 
to the State. 

Judge Dooly, of the Clarke faction, son of the Revolu- 
tionary hero, could never reach this goal of all aspiring 
young lawyers, because of his unpopular politics, though no 
one doubted his patriotism and high regard for that which 
was right and just. He was the idol of younger members 
of the bar, and the most famous wit in the State. His 
bright sayings and repartees are still remembered, and will 
continue to form the staple of bar anecdotes for many gener- 
ations to come. He was, of course, an opponent of Craw- 
ford, through life, but was singularly free from the party 
hatred and bitterness of the day. 

An amusing story is preserved of him and Judge Tate, 
wdio had challenged him to mortal combat. Judge Tate- 

160 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

had a wooden leg, and when he and his second reached 
the place of meeting, they found Judge Dooly there before 
them — but alone, and composedly sitting upon a stump. 
AVhen asked where his second was, he replied: "He is in 
the woods. He will be here as soon as he can find a guni.'^ 

"May I inquire," said Tate's second, "what use you have 
for a gum in the matter we havejmet to settle ?" 

"I want it to put my leg m, sir. Do you suppose I can 
afford to risk my leg of flesh and bone against Tate's wooden 
one ? If I hit hisdeg, why, he will have another to-morrow^ 
and be pegging about as usual. If he hits mine, I may 
lose my life by it; but, almost certainly, my leg, I caa 
not risk this, and must have a gum to put my leg in ; then, I 
am as much wood as he is, and on equal terms ^vith him." 

The situation was so absurd, it is scarcely necessary to- 
record that Judge Tate and his second left the field discom- 
fited, and the matter dropped. 

The close of this decade found unfulfilled the agreement 
of the Federal Government to remove the Indians from our 
State. By permission, a party of Cherokees had gone west 
of the Mississippi river to examine the country'' with a view 
to settling there, as game was getting scarce in Georgia. 
They found a pleasant land which suited them, and many 
of the Xation immediately emigrated; but the Federal Gov- 
ernment neglected the opportunity thus afforded to execute 
its contract with Georgia. 

Many Tories had, after the war, fled to the Indians and 
settled among them. It was through the instigation of 
these traitors that the treaties so often made with the Cher- 
okees and Creeks did not secure safety for our frontier set- 
tlements. jSTegroes and other property were being con- 
llg 161 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

stantly stolen, and houses being burned, when such prop- 
erty was all important to the oAvners, for there was no money 
to replace it. So, as yet, Georgia had reaped no benefit 
from her immense grant of land to the Federal government. 



Towns settled in this decade : Spring Place, Watkins- 
ville, Jefferson, Madison, Eatonton. 



162 



CHAPTER XVII. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 
1810—1820. 

Slowly but. surely increasing in population and wealth, 
Georgia had now more leisure to devote to internal improve- 
ments. Public roads were made better, the navigable 
rivers freed from obstructions, education — always consid- 
ered a matter of the first importance — was still freely en- 
couraged by the State, and the first bank was incorporated, 
being called the Bank of Augusta. 

Early in this decade, a deputation of the Lower Creeks, 
headed by one of their chiefs, Tus-tum-nug-gee Hut-kee, 
but called by Georgians, William Mcintosh, went to Mil- 
ledgeville to have "a talk" with David B. Mitchell, who was 
then Governor. Mcintosh bore the full name of his father, 
a British officer who served against Georgia during the Rev- 
olutionary war. His mother was a full-blooded Creek 
woman, of an influential tribe, who lived at Coweta. The 
chief,, Mcintosh, was tall, finely formed, with graceful 
manners, and very intelligent. He was capable of the most 
inviolable friendship, and practised virtues that would do 
credit to the most enlightened culture. 

The Creeks were accompanied by Col. Benjamin Haw- 
kins, United States agent for the Indians^a man who 
played a conspicuous part among them. Born in North 

163 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE 

Carolina, his father gave him the best education possible irt 
the United States at that time. He was a student at Prince- 
ton College when its exercises were suspended by the war. 
Being an excellent French scholar, he was of great assistancb 
to Gen. Washington in his intercourse with the French offi- 
cers. He was, finally, pressed into service as an interpreter, 
and became a member of Washington's military family, 
fighting bravely whenever an occasion offered. 

After the war was over, he was appointed Superintendent 
of Indian Affairs at the South. He became so extremely 
interested in the Creeks, that he took up his abode among- 
them, devoting all his energy to their improvement. In 
what is now Crawford county, he built a comfortable house- 
where all who chose to come were made welcome. The 
Creeks had such great respect for him that they never 
molested his large herds of cattle that roamed without re- 
straint about the cane-brakes of Flint river. Col. Hawkins- 
had been a member of Congress, and a Senator, and had a 
natural aptitude for science. The celebrated Frenchman,. 
Gen. Moreau, when an exile in the United States, visited 
him at his Creek home. He said that Col. Hawkins was the- 
most remarkable man he had found in America. 

Quite a large crowd of ladies and gentlemen witnessed 
the meeting of the Indians with Gov. Mitchell. The pur- 
port of Chief Mcintosh's "talk" was an assurance of friend- 
ship for Georgia, and a desire for the continuation of 
friendly intercourse between the Creeks and the State ; that 
the old men of the Nation would soon be gone, and the 
young men were anxious to cultivate a good understanding 
with their white brothers, as their fathers had done. 

After the "talk" was over, Col. Hawkins and twenty of 

164 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

■the most distinguished Indians dined with the Governor. 
They returned home, well pleased with their reception and 
the success of their mission. 

Always generous in aiding her sister States, a war spirit 
was soon excited all over Georgia by the complications be- 
tween the United States and Great Britain which led to the 
war of 1812. The relations between the two powers had 
been strained for some time, owing to the aggressions of 
British cruisers upon the commerce of the United States, 
and the empressment of American sailors into their service. 
The whole country was soon aroused," especially the South. 
All our representatives in Congress were in favor of the 
war. William II. Crawford was the natural leader of the 
ardent band of Southerners whose fiery zeal helped to 
breathe war into the national coimcil. So Congress for- 
anally declared war against Great Britain. 

Georgia cordially supported the Federal Government in 
ihis act, though the war was mainly for the benefit of the 
NeAV England States. Our two war Governors, David 
Mitchell and Peter Early, did all in their power to assist 
the arms of the United States, and they and their Legisla- 
tures expressed great pride in the national victories. 

As soon as war was declared, volunteer companies were 
•organized all over our State, and the approaching conflict 
was the chief theme of conversation. Grave fears were felt 
that Savannah, our most important town, would be at- 
tacked. Much of our long seacoast was necessarily left un- 
protected, and the restless, warlike Indians were still within 
our .borders. But, the gallant Georgians felt themselves 
fully competent to cope with both British cruisers and hos- 
tile Indians. 

165 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

This year the venerable Vice-President of the United 
States died, and his place was filled by William H. Craw- 
ford, then Senator from Georgia. 

Early in the war, the Seminoles, incited by the Spaniards 
— who favored Great Britain in this contest — began hostil- 
ities on our southern frontier. Our Governor had to send 
a force into the heart of their country, and several engage- 
ments took place before the Indians were brought to 
terms and consented to make peace. 

The war had been going on for something over a year, 
when the many disasters to their arms depressed the bravest 
spirits in the United States, but the howling tempest 
continued to rage violently. Peter Early, our energetic 
and fearless Governor, beheld the storm without dismay, 
and boldly prepared to avert its fury. In a short time the 
militia were organized, and the frontier put in a condition 
for defense. Many old men offered their services to the 
Governor, and their company was called "The Silver 
Grays." 

It was at this critical period that Georgia loaned the Fed- 
eral Government eighty thousand dollars to assist in carry- 
ing on the war. 

Gloom, like a dark cloud, was still hanging over the 
United States, when the Creeks, instigated by tlie English, 
took up arms against Georgia. This is known as the Creek 
war. Almost their first act of hostility was a sanguinary 
and unprovoked massacre, upon the helpless frontier settle- 
ments of Georgia and Alabama. The Upper Creeks, who 
lived mainly in Alabama, never recognized any of the 
treaties that Gen. Oglethorpe had made with the Lower 



166 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Creeks. They were under French influence, and always 
the implacable enemies of Georgia. 

One bright August day, at high noon, the Creeks sud- 
denly fell upon Fort Minis, on the Chattahoochee river, 
captured it, and massacred nearly three hundred persons, 
men, women, and children. Of all the persons in the Fort, 
only seventeen escaped. A feeling of horror and indigna- 
tion swept over our State, and Georgia and Tennessee 
united their militia to give battle to the Indians. 

The command of the Georgia troops was offered to Gen. 
Daniel Stewart, who had fought in the Revolutionary war 
from its beginning. Now, as commander of cavalry, he 
was again ready to meet the foes of Georgia, but, on account 
of his age and the arduous service that would be required, 
he was compelled to decline a greater responsibility, and 
the position was given to Gen. John Floyd. Andrew Jack- 
son, of Tennessee, .was general over the united militia, and 
they fought around Mobile. 

Gen. Floyd was the son of a Revolutionary hero, who 
wore on the front of his helmet a silver crescent inscribed 
with Patrick Henry's famous words, "Liberty or death." 
He had already won a reputation as a military man, and had 
been general of the brigade for some years. Such an 
important matter as defending the frontier and punishing 
the Indians could not have been given to one better fitted 
for the enterprise. His chief characteristic was a patriot- 
ism which amounted to a deep-seated passion. 

The young chief, William Mcintosh, aided Georgia in 
this war and received from the Federal Government the title 
of General. In the Nation he was second only to Ho-poth- 
le-yo-holo who sided with the British. These two chiefs 

167 



UEOKGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Avere deadly foes, principally because Mcintosh favored the 
sale of their lands that lay within the limits of Georgia, 
which was violently opposed by Ho-poth-le-yo-holo. 

The failure of the Federal Government to appropriate 
funds for the necessary army supplies delayed Gen. Floyd 
in his military operations, so that he did not reach the coun- 
try of the hostile Creeks — the allies of Great Britain — until 
late in November. 

Our troops could anticipate but little glory in this war, 
but, with the spirit characteristic of Georgians, they pa- 
tiently endured the drudgery of building a line of forts 
from the Ocmulgee river to the Alabama river, and then 
marched with alacrity against Georgia's foes. Gen. Floyd 
never lost an opp_ortunity to meet the enemy, but, on ac- 
count of the long distances which he had to march before 
reaching the hostile towns, the lack of proper transporta- 
tion, and the scarcity of provisions, he fought the Creeks in 
any considerable force, at only two points — Autossee and 
Chillibbee. 

Gen. Floyd had built a Fort on the Chattahoochee river, 
which he named for Gov. Mitchell. Collecting here nine 
hundred men, with the chief, Mcintosh, as leader of a band 
of friendly Creeks, he set out with this detachment to at- 
tack Autossee, one of the most populous towns in the Creek 
Nation. It was on the Tallapoosa river, and near it was 
another large town called Tallassee. 

To reach their destination, our troops had to march over 
sixty miles, every soldier carrying his rations. About day- 
break they simultaneously attacked the two towns. Early 
in the engagement, Gen. Floyd was severely wounded in 
the knee; but, though suffering great pain, he refused to 
leave the field. 

168 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

In this battle Capt. John Irwin commanded the cavalry, 
-and Capt. Jett Thomas the artillery; the latter, marching 
in front of the right column, elicited great praise from 
Gen. Floyd for his gallantry in the action. He possessed 
the art of inspiring his men to brave deeds on the battle- 
field. In the heat of the combat, one of his cannon had 
but three men left. At this moment it seemed that the 
Indians would certainly capture it — for ten men out of the 
thirteen who had defended it were weltering in their gore — 
when Ezekiel Attaway, with heroic firmness, wrested the 
traversing handspike from the carriage of the gun, saying 
to his two brave comrades : "With this, I will defend the 
piece as long as I can stand. "We must not give up the 
gun, boys. Seize the first weapon you can lay your hands 
upon, and stick to your post until the last !" Is it any won- 
■der that the Indians gave way before such determined cour- 
age? 

The battle of Autossee lasted over an hour. The kings 
•of both towns were slain, when the Creeks fled in confusion. 
The Indian towns were burned to ashes, but this victory 
was not won without serious loss to the Georgia troops. 

Gen. Floyd's wound kept him from active duty for some 
time, and David Blackshear was appointed to take his place. 
Most of his life had been spent on the frontier, and he was 
familiar with the Creek mode of warfare. 

In this same year, the darkest period of the war of 1812, 
William II. Crawford was sent to France as United States 
Minister, to succeed Chancellor Livingston. In form and 
person Crawford was very imposing, being six feet and 
two inches in height. His complexion was fair and his eyes 
£L brilliant blue. The great JSTapoleon said the United States 

169 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

had sent him two ministers, the first one was deaf, and the 
other dumb : Livingston was quite deaf, and Crawford 
could not speak a word of French. The Emperor also said 
that no government but a republic could create and foster 
so much truth and honest simplicity of character as he 
found in Mr. Crawford. 

So conspicuous was this Georgia statesman for talents, 
wisdom, and the arts of government, that he was proposed 
as the proper person to succeed Mr. Madison as President; 
but he steadfastly refused to oppose his friend Mr. Monroe, 
which prevented his party from putting forward his name. 
He was so popular, he would have been elected with little 
opposition. 

As soon as Gen. Floyd had so far recovered from his 
wound as to mount a horse, he reported for active duty and 
was given his old troops. Gen. Blackshear was appointed 
to a command under Gen. John Mcintosh. This Revolu- 
tionary hero was again to the front, fighting the British 
about Mobile. 

Gen. Floyd, at Fort Mitchell, hearing that the Creeks 
had collected in great force and fortified a town on the 
Tallapoosa river, determined to attack them again in their 
stronghold. Marching under a continuous rain, he led his 
little army through a country without roads or bridges. 
When they were between fifteen and twenty miles from 
the town, they were attacked an hour and a half before day 
by the British and Indians, whose object was to prevent 
their making a junction with Gen. Andrew Jackson, 

The Creeks, led by Witherford, a chief and prophet, 
rushed upon the Georgians like tigers. Their force was- 
so large that, for a time, the issue of the battle seemed 

170 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

doubtful. Everything was in favor of the Indians — the 
darkness of the hour, the thick forest of pines which shel- 
tered them, and the surprise which their first yell had occa- 
sioned our troops. But they had met Indians in hostile 
array before, and had, moreover, been hardened by six 
months' service, so, they encountered their foes with the 
coolest intrepidity. Not a man faltered, and a brisk fire 
was kept up until it was light enough for Gen. Floyd to 
order a charge. "The steady firmness and incessant fire of 
Capt. Thomas' artillery and (J apt. Adams' riflemen pre- 
served our front line : both of these suffered greatly." In 
less than fifteen minutes after the charge was made, every 
foe, except the dead and dying, had disappeared from the 
battle-field. This action is known as the battle of Challib- 
bee. 

Gen. Floyd sustained severe losses. Among the killed 
was the gallant Capt. Butts, who was shot while leading his 
men forward. The loss of the Indians was never ascer- 
tained, as it was their custom to carry off their wounded 
and as many of their dead as possible in time of battle. 

Soon after this engagement the term for which these 
troops had been called into service expired, and they were 
honorably discharged. 

When Capt. Thomas returned to Georgia he was greeted 
everywhere by the plaudits of his countrymen, and was 
made a major-general. A county and town were after- 
wards named for him. 

Gen. Floyd, commanding a brigade, was sent to protect 
Savannah, and remained there until the close of the war 
of 1812. He also has a county named for him. 



171 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The Creek war continued a while longer, until the In- 
dians made their last stand at Horseshoe Bend, where they 
were completely crushed by Gen. Jackson and the Chief 
Mcintosh; the latter acted with conspicuous gallantry on 
this occasion. His many admirable traits had won the re- 
gard of all our officers, and being constantly thrown with 
them, he had acquired much of the polish of a gentleman. 

When the chief, Witherford, surrendered the remnant 
of liis troops to Gen. Jackson, he said : ''I am in your power. 
Do with me as you please. I am a soldier. I have done 
the white people all the harm I could. I have fought them, 
and fought them bravely. If I had an army, I would yet 
fight and contend to the last. But I have none. My peo- 
ple are all gone. I can now do no more than weep over 
the misfortunes of my nation. Once I could animate my 
warriors to battle; but I cannot animate the dead. My 
warriors can no longer hear my voice. Their bones are at 
Talladega, Tallushatchee, Emuckfau and Tohopeka. I 
have not surrendered myself thoughtlessly. While there 
were chances for success I never left my post, nor suppli- 
cated for peace. But my people are gone; and I now ask it 
for my nation and myself." 

Though their leader had surrendered, many of the 
Creeks, in small bands, hid themselves in the swamps of 
the Escambia and along the bays in Florida, and continued 
hostilities. Maj. Blue of Alabama fought them in their 
■dense retreats, performing valuable services and making a 
brilliant record. To him belongs the credit of bringing the 
Creek war to a final termination. 

In every battle fought in this war, the Indians were 
^Teatly inferior in numbers, except at Burnt Corn and Fort 

172 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Mims, The brave Creeks had fought until half their war-^ 
riors were slain, to preserve for their children the land 
where the Great Spirit had given them birth. 

Our people, at home, had watched the events of the Creek 
war with absorbing interest, and had felt a personal con- 
cern in every Georgian who was fighting. Some of the 
militia from the up-country had left their families in very 
straitened circumstances. When camped on the Talla- 
poosa river one of them remarked : "I know my children 
will not suffer for bread while Mr. Hope Hull lives." And 
sure enough, every week, that eloquent divine, loading a 
little wagon, drove through his neighborhood, leaving the- 
necessary meat and meal at every soldier's home. 



173 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 

1810—1820. 

During the war of 1812 our seacoast suffered greatly, 
though Savannah Avas never captured. Sir George Cock- 
burn, the admiral in command of the British fleet in 
Southern waters, was a greater scourge to Georgia than the 
locusts are to Africa. He left a wide track of desolation 
along the coast, even cutting down the fine orange grove at 
Dungeness House, on Cumberland Island, which was his 
winter headquarters. 

When the Federal Government for the second time called 
on Georgia for troops, thirty-six hundred responded. They 
were the flower of the State militia. 

The interruption of foreign commerce, during this war, 
caused our housekeepers great inconvenience. The price 
of coffee, tea and imported cloth, which was the only fine 
cloth in that day, were so high that few families could in- 
dulge in such luxuries; but Nature's generous gifts of corn, 
sugar and cotton rendered our State, in a manner, inde- 
pendent of the rest of the world for food and clothing. 

About this time. Gen. Blackshear, being at Fort Early, 
on Flint river, was ordered to Darien to oppose the landing 
of the British who had appeared off that part of the coast. 
He opened a military road to that point, which is still called 
Blackshear's Road. 

174 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Peace was made between the United States and Great 
Britain in December, 1815; but the news had not reached 
Georgia when in the following January the British, in two 
divisions, effected a landing on Cumberland Island. They 
were met by Capt. Messias, Capt. Tattnall and Lieut. 
Hardee, who twice drove them back; but the odds were so 
great (one thousand to sixty), that finally, the Georgians had 
to retreat, which was effected in good order. 

From Cumberland, the enemy sent one hundred men to 
take possession of St. Simon's Island. They remained there 
for three weeks, and, when they left, carried off three hun- 
dred negroes, besides stealing or destroying other property. 
A native African, named Tom, who belonged to Mr. 
Couper, was so attached to him that no threats of the Brit- 
ish could induce him to follow them. Tom was remark- 
able for his intelligence, and for having, probably, come 
farther from the interior of Africa than any other negro 
in the United States. His native village was on the ISTiger, 
a few days' journey Avest of the celebrated city of Tim- 
buctoo. 

Not long after this a very remarkable feat was performed 
on the banks of the St. Mary's, which is a very crooked 
river. Twenty-three British barges, filled with soldiers, 
were ascending the river to burn Maj. Clarke's mills, be- 
cause he had broken his parole, when they were attacked 
by twenty-eight men under Capt. William Cone. The 
enemy immediately fired their cannon, but the palmetto 
trees, on both sides of the river, screened our men, so that 
the shot proved harmless. 

Capt. Cone harassed them for several miles, taking ad- 
vantage of every turn in the river to fire upon them ; every 

175 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

shot, with unerring aim, bringing down one of the enemy^ 
The British, finding themselves exposed to such deadly fire^ 
retraced their conrse to the town, St. Mary's, where they 
reported one hundred and eighty men killed, and as many 
wounded. 

This was the last act of hostility attempted against Geor- 
gia, as the news of peace arrived, and the British were com- 
pelled to withdraw" their forces from our land and water. 

Georgia had done her part in furnishing troops to swell 
the national army during this war. Appling, Gumming^ 
and Twiggs were among the immortal band that distin- 
guished itself on the Canada frontier, the principal seat of 
active land operations. 

The first Legislature that met after peace was declared, 
passed resolutions of thanks to Mcintosh, Floyd and Black- 
shear for their valuable services. 

Georgia's gallant son, Maj. Daniel Appling, fighting in 
ISTew York State, had so covered himself with glory at the 
battle of Sandy Creek that he was brevetted lieutenant-col- 
onel. And, now, on his return home, the Legislature 
passed a resolution "felicitating themselves on his heroic 
exploits, and as a tribute due to the lustre of his actions," 
resolved that an elegant sword, suitable for an officer of his 
grade, be purchased and presented to him. Before it was 
delivered, he died suddenly of pneumonia, without wife or 
child ; by resolution of that body, the sword was suspended 
in the Executive Department at the capitol. So the State 
became the custodian of this testimonial to her courageous 
son ; and there it hangs to this day. 

The next year, "Light-horse Harry" Lee, who had fought 
so bravely for Georgia in the Revolutionary war, died on 

176 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Cimiberland Island, on his way home from the West Indies, 
where he had in vain sought restoration to health. He 
was the guest of Gen. Greene's daughter, Mrs. Shaw, at her 
home, Dungeness House, whose beautiful grounds still 
showed the imjjress of the iron heel of War. He was 
buried with all the respect and honor possible, and rests well 
upon Georgia's bosom. 

Three years had not elapsed before our State was again 
called upon for soldiers, as certain British subjects in Flor- 
ida liad stirred up tlie Seminoles to war. The Federal Gov- 
ernment sent Gen. Andrew Jackson to subdue them. The 
settlements on our southern frontier suffered severely be- 
fore a sufficient force arrived to protect them. When the 
regular troops reached the country of the hostile Indians, 
the fighting was mostly in Florida. 

During the Seminole war, a very spirited correspondence 
took place between our Governor, William Rabun, and 
Gen. Jackson in reference to the destruction of an Indian 
town in what is now Lee county. The Governor had re- 
quested him to place a force of soldiers where they could 
protect the most exposed parts of Georgia against the foe. 
1^0 attention was paid to this request; so, the Governor, 
hastening to provide for the safety of his people, sent Capt. 
A\ right with two hundred and seventy men against two 
hostile Indian towns, whose inhabitants were allies of the 
Seminoles, and had committed many murders.' 

Arriving at Fort Early, Capt. Wright learned that the 
hostile chief had moved and was living at Cheha, where he 
was the principal leader. As he was ordered to destroy the 
towns of this chief, he attacked Cheha and destroyed it, 
killing ten Indians. 

12g . 177 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

This affair produced a great stir in the country, as it was 
asserted that the village was friendly to the whites and had 
supplied Jackson's army with a large quantity of provisions, 
and that forty of their warriors were then fighting under 
him. Gen. Jackson ordered Capt. Wright to be arrested, 
and wrote an insulting letter to Gov. Rabun, in which he 
said the destruction of the Indian village was an offense of 
such enormity that it was without a parallel in history. 

Gen. Jackson was the hero of the w^ar of 1812, and he 
thought he was greater than the sovereign State of Georgia, 
He was mistaken. Our Governor regretted the occurrence 
as much as any one, but he would not suffer the indignity 
that Gen. Jackson had offered our State, and Capt. Wright 
was released from "durance vile" by the civil authorities. 

The Seminoles were soon subdued; and afterwards Spain 
ceded Florida to the United States. From that day Florida 
ceased to be a troublesome neighbor to Georgia. 

In May of this year, there occurred a great event in the 
annals of the world. The first steamship — the "Savannah," 
projected and owned in the city of Savannah, though built 
in 'New York — crossed the Atlantic ocean. It sailed from 
Savannah, and in one month, after a successful voyage, 
anchored in Liverpool, in the presence of an admiring 
crowd. 

During this same month President Monroe visited sev- 
eral towns in Georgia, receiving everywhere a hearty wel- 
come. He remained five days in Savannah. Here he en- 
joyed the novel experience of a trip to Tybee on this steam- 
boat, then preparing for its first trip. He was entertained 
while in Savannah in the usual gala fashion, and the welkin 
rang with military salutes. When the toasts were drunk 

178 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

at the banquet, Georgia's dead heroes were not forgotten. 
Lachlan Mcintosh, Jackson, Tattnall and Telfair, the pride 
and the ornaments of our State, were mentioned by name. 

After the close of the war of 1812 a new ambition seized 
upon the people of upper Georgia. The price of cotton 
had so advanced, that money was more plentiful than ever 
before; and their plain houses and homespun clothes were 
discarded, a more costly style of living adopted, and they 
began to desire higher education and the elegancies of life. 

The haughty Creeks had been humbled; the territory 
between the Ocmulgee and Chattahoochee rivers, which 
had been ceded to Georgia as a result of the war, opened a 
rich, new field for settlement, and added greatly to the 
prosperity of our whole State. 

This year Gov. Rabun died in office. "His eulogium 
is written in the hearts of the people of Georgia." His 
chief characteristics were love of order and love for his 
country. He regai'ded justice not only as a civil but a relig- 
ions duty. 

Mr. Matthews Talbot, President of the Senate, assumed 
the duties of Chief Magistrate until the Legislature met, 
when John Clarke was elected Governor. It was consid- 
ered a great triumph over the Crawford party, and hailed 
as an evidence that it had become unpopular in Georgia; 
but the bitterness of faction which had been almost smoth- 
ered for so long now broke out again in a fierce flame. 

Mr. Crawford was absent from the State most of the 
time, either assisting in the national government or repre- 
senting it abroad. At this time he was a member of Mr. 
Monroe's cabinet. 



179 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

John Clarke, son of the famous Elijah Clarke, had 
fought for Georgia both in his youth and in his manhood, 
and had commanded a body of militia in the war of 1812; 
for all these things he was entitled to the gratitude of the 
State; but the majority of our people opposed him because 
they thought he had not given sufficient proof that he would 
be governor of the State, not merely the head of a party. 

While he was Governor, the honors of the Executive 
Mansion were performed by Jiis only daughter, Ann, who 
had no superior among Georgia women. Her affability, 
dignity and grace were of great assistance to her father, who 
had nearly all the leading families of the State politically 
arrayed against him. 

When the Creeks were subdued, the Federal Government, 
instead of seizing that opportunity to redeem its pledge to 
Georgia, required them to surrender a large body of land in 
Alabama, which was sold for its benefit. Then, too, during 
Hie first year of Gov. Clarke's administration, a delegation 
of Cherokees went to AVashington City and induced the Sec- 
retary of War to change the terms of the treaty that had 
been made with them, so as to allow them to remain in our 
State. The consent of Georgia was not asked or given. 
The Secretary was lauded to the skies under the plea of the 
great importance of civilizing the Indians, and Georgia was 
still patiently enduring the annoyance of having them 
residing within her limits without being citizens. 



Towns settled in this decade were Waynesboro, Irwinton^ 
Marietta, Lawrenceville. 

180 



CHAPTER XIX. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 
1820—1830. 

Immediately after Gov. Clarke was inaugurated, the 
Crawford party brought forward the name of George M. 
Troup for the next Governor. He had been a member of 
Congress for many years, and, of all the prominent men in 
the State, he was the most uncompromising in his hatred to- 
wards those who were engaged in the Yazoo fraud. Fervid 
by nature, he was impassioned in debate, scrupulously hon- 
est, of soundest judgment, and devoted to his State. 

Again did Georgia tremble with a war of contending fac- 
tions, and no one was allowed to be neutral. There was 
no great principle involved; it was simply a division of the 
people into two great parties, led by political opponents 
whose animosity grew out of the fact that one of them ap- 
proved the Yazoo Act and was a Federalist, which party 
was against the political creed of our State. 

This agitation divided families, estranged friends, and 
distracted churches — whose pulpits, for the first time in 
Georgia history, were desecrated by political philippics, so 
that "reason seemed to reel and justice to forget her duty.'? 
The eloquent pens of Cobb, Cumming, Foster, Grantland, 
Gilmer and Wilde now became active in trying to regain 
the lost power of the Crawford party. 

181 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

A number of talented young men — among whom was 
Charles McDonald, conspicuous for character and family — 
espoused the Clarke faction, and did yoemen's work under 
the leadership of Judge Dooly and Col. Duncan G. Camp- 
bell. 

There were not a dozen newspapers in the State at this 
time, but they were all for Troup, So, the opposition 
started a paper of its own ; right valiantly did the editor 
do battle for his cause and defend Gov. Clarke against 
the fierce attacks of his opponents. 

Y'or two years this war of words continued, increasing in 
bitterness every hour until the election came off. When 
the Legislature met, there was intense excitement, and 
some of Troup's supporters urged him to visit the members 
and solicit their votes. He nobly replied: "A candidate 
for the Executive Chair should not debase that high office 
by seeking to influence legislative votes. I have refused 
through life to electioneer, and I am too old to do it now." 

When the vote was taken. Gov. Clarke was re-elected by 
a majority of two. 

This Legislature elected Nicholas Ware to the United 
States Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation 
of Maj. Freeman Walker. Both these gentlemen were 
eminent laAvyers, and have been honored by having 
counties named for them. Nicholas Ware was the son of 
an officer of the Revolutionary war, and one of the most 
prominent men in Augusta. He was the first mayor of 
that city, and his portrait still adorns the council chamber. 

In the meantime a great calamity had fallen upon our 
beautiful city. Savannah. It was almost destroyed by fire, 
the loss of property amounting to about four million 

182 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

dollars. The misery and want in the city were very great, 
but assistance was quickly sent to the sufferers, from differ- 
ent parts of Georgia and other States. A city baker, whose 
property was uninjured by the fire, for eight days supplied 
bread free of charge to those persons whose losses were so 
great that they had no means to purchase food. 

Savannah had not recovered from this disaster before it 
was visited by a terrible scourge of yellow fever; but, so 
great was its recuperative power that during the winter of 
the same year its commercial activity had returned. 

Almost all the towns on the west side of the Ocmulgee 
river sprang into existence during this decade, as if by 
magic. AVhere no voice had ever been heard save that of 
the Indian hunter, where the wolves still howled in the 
solitude of the forest, where the cabins of the Creeks had 
recently stood, within a few years industry had converted 
the country into beautiful plantations and lovely villages. 
It is a noteworthy fact that in every village, lots were set 
apart for houses of worship. These new settlements were 
made on the land recently acquired from the Creeks, by the 
treaty made with them at the famous Indian Spring, in 
Butts county. 

When Gov. Clarke's second term expired, George Troup 
became our Governor. His opponent was a friend of 
Clarke's, Matthew Talbot, who had once served as Gov- 
ernor for a few months. This was the hottest and hardest 
battle ever fought by the two parties. 

The Legislature required Gov. Troup to use every exer- 
tion to obtain from the Federal Government "the extin- 
guishment of the Indian title to all our remaining terri- 
tory." So, he began his administration with a grave prob- 

1S3 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

lem to be solved. Well was it for Georgia that a man of 
undaunted courage was now at the helm of State ! 

In order to understand Gov. Troup's difficulties, it must 
be remembered that the agreement made with Georgia by 
the Federal Government in 1802 still remained unexecuted. 
The States of Mississippi and Alabama, formed from the 
land which Georgia had generously given, were fast filling 
up with a desirable population, and the Indian titles there 
were in course of extinction ; whereas the Creeks and Chero- 
kees were still fastened upon Georgia. 

Our State was constantly urging the Federal Government 
to fulfil its contract. She had never failed to do her duty 
to it in times of war and public distress. There was a grow- 
ing sentiment, at this time, in the ISTorthern States, encour- 
aged by the authorities at Washington, that the Indians 
ought to remain here indefinitely, and, perhaps, be permit- 
ted to try the experiment of an independent government. 
In those States the Indian titles had long since been ex- 
tinguished, because it was a matter of national policy; but, 
when it came to a question of Georgia's rights, they were 
seized with a morbid philanthropy that was full of sym- 
pathy for the poor Indians, while they shut their eyes to 
such practical details as the sacred obligation of the Fed- 
eral Government to the State of Georgia. 

Gov. Troup at once began a correspondence with the 
Secretary of War on this subject, which resulted in the ap- 
pointment of two distinguished Georgians, Duncan G. 
Campbell and James Meriwether, to treat with the Creeks. 
They failed in their mission, owing to the opposition of 
that portion of the [Nation that was under the influence of 
Ho-poth-le-yo-holo, so lately the ally of Great Britain, the 

184 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

baneful counsel of Col. John Crowell, United States Agent 
for their I^ation, and the missionaries who lived in the 
Cherokee country. Col. Crowell was a friend of Clarke's, 
and openly declared that Georgia should not have an acre 
of the Creek land while Troup was governor. 

However, our Governor's energy and perseverance beat 
down all opposition, and the two commissioners finally met 
the Creeks in council at the Indian Spnngs, where the at- 
tendance of chiefs was unusually large. William Mcin- 
tosh was there, and so was his hated rival, Ho-poth-le-yo- 
holo. Each chief was followed by sub-chiefs and warriors. 

Mcintosh made a speech as soon as the Council was 
opened, announcing his readiness to sell the land. His 
"talk" showed him to be a statesman, and wise beyond his 
people. He explained how, with the whites all around 
them, their mighty IS^ation had become dwarfed; that it 
was only a matter of time until there would be no game in 
the country and they would be without food; that some of 
their young men had been to look at the proffered land be- 
yond the Great River, and it was good, and the game there 
was abundant. Then, turning to his rival, who stood 
listening with scornful defiance, he said: "Will you go and 
live with your people increasing and happy about you; or 
will you stay and die with them here, and leave no one to 
follow you, or come to your grave and weep over their 
great chief? Beyond the Great Kiver the sun is as bright 
and the sky as blue, and the waters are as clear and as 
sweet as they are here. Our people will go with us. To 
love the ground is mean; to love our people is noble." 

He continued for some time to address the haughty chief 
in the same eloquent strain, recapitulating all the good that 
would result from their moving to the West. 

185 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

When he concluded his "talk," his followers grunted 
their approbation; but Ho-potli-le-yo-holo, the great, red 
chief, turning from him in disdain, addressed himself to 
the commissioners. He was a powerful speaker, with a 
manner passionate almost to wildness, and his imagery was 
original and beautiful. His speech is well worth repro- 
ducing, but a few extracts must suffice. As he turned his 
back on Mcintosh, he broke forth fiercely: "Who says it 
is mean to love the land, to keep in our hearts these graves, 
as we keep the Great Spirit ? It is noble to love the land 
where the corn grows, and which was given to us by the 
Great Spirit. We will sell no more. . ' . . . Leave 
to us the little we have; let us die where our fathers died; 
and let us sleep where our kindred sleep ; and when the last 
is gone, then take our lands and with your plows tear up the 
mould upon our graves and plant your corn above us. 
There will be none to weep at the deed, none to tell the tra- 
ditions of our people. . . . AVe are few and weak, you 
are many and strong, and you can, kill us and take our 
homes; but the Great Spirit has given us courage to fight 
for our homes, if we may not live in them; we will do it, 
and this is our talk, our last talk." 

He folded over his shoulders the blanket which he had 
thrown aside, and, followed by his band and another chief 
with his party, passed out of sight. 

Mcintosh, unawed by this defection, concluded the treaty, 
and agreed to move to the West within a year. They were 
to receive acre for acre in Western lands, and four hundred 
thousand dollars in money. The United States agent, 
Crowell, witnessed the treaty; but the next day, with seve- 
ral chiefs, he started for Washington City to protest 

186 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

against it as unfair. The President, Mr. Monroe, submit- 
ted the treaty to the Senate, and it was solemnly ratified. 

When this fact became known among the Upper Creeks, 
their hostility to Mcintosh and his party, culminated in a 
conspiracy against his life. His old enemy Ho-poth-le-yo- 
holo instigated and planned the murder, though he did not 
lead the band of assassins. A large number of warriors, 
headed by a chief, were selected to do this dark deed. 
Their orders were to meet at a certain spot on an appointed 
day, when they were silently to surround his house at night ; 
at daybreak they were to burn it, and as he rushed out they 
were all to fire upon him. 

That there might be no mistake as to the time, each 
warrior was furnished with a bundle of sticks, each stick 
representing a day. Every time the sun set, one of them 
was to be thrown away; and when only one remained, that 
was the night on which Mcintosh was to perish. To betray 
the secret, or to be absent at the appointed time, was death. 

Only too well was this bloody plot carried out; and Wil- 
liam Mcintosh, whose whole life had been devoted to his 
iN'ation, his tribe, and to our beloved State, fell beneath the 
blows of assassins, in his own house, upon Georgia soil. 
This cowardly murder produced great excitement all over 
our State. Many Indians rushed to the white settlements 
for protection. Gov. Troup ordered out the militia with 
directions to be ready at a moment's notice to march to the 
Nation and protect the friendly Creeks, if it should be 
necessary. But there were no further hostile demonstra- 
tions; and, not long afterwards, half of the Mcintosh party 
moved to the West. 



187 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The crowning offence of Mcintosh, in the eyes of his 
enemies, was consenting to Gov. Troup's proposition that 
the Creek lands should be immediately surveyed, instead 
of waiting until they moved a year later. Ho-poth-le-yo- 
holo really had very little concern with this question, for 
his immediate people and their lands were altogether in 
Alabama; in the war of 1812 Gen. Jackson, after the vic- 
tory of Horseshoe Bend, had treated them as a conquered 
people, and compelled them to remain within certain pre- 
scribed limits. 

In the midst of this political stir the Governor called an 
extra session of the Legislature. They at once passed an 
act authorizing the survey. A strong resolution was also 
adopted, calling upon Mr. Adams, who had recently be- 
come President, to remove the Indian agent from office, 
as he was faithless to his trust and an enemy to Georgia. 
The President refused to remove him, but instituted an in- 
quiry into his conduct by sending to Georgia for that pur- 
pose a subordinate clerk in one of the Departments under 
his control, whom he called a "clerk of bureau." Gen. 
Gaines was also sent down to compose the disorders in the 
Creek Nation. When these two officials arrived, they es- 
poused the cause of the objectionable agent aiid of those 
Indians who were our enemies; and, besides this. Gen. 
Gaines soon formed an alliance with the Clarke faction. 

Gov. Troup appointed commissioners to confer with 
them. As representatives of a sovereign State, they were 
entitled to attend the conferences held by Gen. Gaines with 
the Indians, but were hindered as much as possible from 
communicating with them. 



188 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Gen. Gaines and the "'clerk of bureau," not confining 
themselves to the duties allotted them, reported against the 
last treaty made at Indian Spring, and misrepresented 
Campbell and Meriwether, saying the '^treaty was tainted 
with intrigue and treachery." Campbell, though he be- 
longed to the Carke party, for the purity of his character 
was respected and loved by all who knew him; and Meri- 
wether stood equally as high in Georgia. The President 
determined to re-submit the treaty to Congress, and pro- 
hibited the survey ordered by Gov. Troup. 

Our Governor maintained that the treaty was valid and 
that the land should be surveyed, but expressed himself as 
willing to suspend the survey until the Legislature met. 
He complained to the President o'f his agents, and told 
him plainly that unless the laws of Georgia were respected, 
he would send the United States officials to Washington in 
irons. He demanded the immediate recall, arrest and pun- 
ishment of Gen. Gaines, for having, in his correspondence 
and publications, insulted the chief magistrate of Georgia. 
Such was the law at this time. 

''But, in utter disregard of our Legislature and of our 
Governor, Crowell was not removed from office; Gaines 
was not court-martialed ; and the murderers of the brave 
3IcIntosh were not punished!" 



189 



CHAPTER XX. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Ooxtinued.) 
1820—1830. 

As the time came around to elect a governor, the fer- 
ment in Georgia was again at fever heat. Our Constitu- 
tion had been changed, and the first election of a Chief 
Magistrate by the people was approaching. 

George Troup was a candidate for re-election, and John 
Clarke was supported by the opposing party. In this can- 
vass, the bitterness and violence of the two factions reached 
their acme. Kot a family in the State escaped its influ- 
ence, and hatreds were engendered which neither time nor 
reason could ever heal. 

The party cry of the Crawford faction, which rang from 
the mountains to the seaboard, was: 

"Troup and the old treaty!" 

The people of Georgia endorsed their intrepid governor 
by giving him a majority of six hundred and eighty-two 
votes. 

For several years Mr, Crawford had been Secretary of 
the Treasury, and his ability was acknowledged by both 
national parties. He had recently received the nomination 
for President, but was stricken with paralysis before the 
election came off. It was reported that he would never 
sufficiently recover to perform the duties of the office, so 

190 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

his friends felt that it would be improper to elect him. 
Nevertheless, he continued a candidate and, in spite of his 
physical condition, he received the votes of three States — 
Georgia, Virginia and Delaware. 

He recovered from this attack, but his health was so 
much impaired that he returned to Georgia permanently. 
When Judge Dooly died, Crawford was appointed his suc- 
cessor, and for the remainder of his life was judge of the 
Northern Circuit. 

In March, before Troup's second election as governor, 
an event occurred which so aroused the enthusiasm of our 
State, that even party animosities were for a time forgot- 
ten. It was the visit of Marquis de La Fayette who, nearly 
fifty years before, had assisted the Colonies in their struggle 
for liberty. Now, with the snows of more than three score 
winters upon his head, but with a warmth of love in his 
heart that kept it young, '"the hero of two continents," had 
returned to the vigorous .young nation whose destiny he 
had helped to shape, and he "received the homage of six- 
teen republics." 

Savannah welcomed him with a military display, and 
with the music of the Marseillaise hymn, the national air 
of France. The Chatham Artillery fired the salutes. One 
of the field-pieces used on this occasion was that valued 
"Washington gun" which had been captured at Yorktown. 

From the time the venerable Marquis touched Georgia 
soil, he was the guest of the State. W^hen Gov. Troup re- 
ceived him on the bluff at Savannah, he said: "Welcome, 
La Fayette! General, 'tis little more than ninety years 
since the founder of this State first set foot upon the bank 
on which you stand. Now, four hundred thousand peo- 

191 



GEORGIA LAND AND FEOPLE. 

pie open their arms to receive you. Thanks to a kind provi- 
dence, it called jou to the standard of independence in the 

helplessness of our Revolution Oh, sir, what 

a consolation for a man who has passed through seas of 
trouble, that the millions of bayonets which guard the 
blessings we enjoy stand between you and them! But, 
enough. Welcome, General ! Thrice welcome to the State 
of <orcorgia!" 

La Fayette replied in feeling words and was then pre- 
sented to the distinguished Georgians around him, among 
whom were live Revolutionary soldiers. 

The streets, through which slowly moved the procession 
escorting him, were crowded to excess, as were the doors 
and windov.-s of the houses. The multitude repeatedly 
displayed their enthusiastic feelings. The ladies saluted 
him by weaving their handkerchiefs, and he acknowledged 
their attentions by many a graceful bow. 

While La Fayette remained in Savannah, he assisted in 
laying the corner-stones of two monuments, one to Gen. 
Greene, and the other to the lamented Pulaski. Both of 
these distinguished men had been his comrades in arms. 

Fi-om thib city he went to Augusta, where he was again 
feted and toasted. 

At Milledgeville he was received with unbounded 
demonstrations of pleasure, a little girl strewing flowers in 
his pathway as he stepped from the carriage. At night 
there was a grand ball to which people came from the sur- 
rounding country for a distance of forty miles. As long 
as La Fayette remained the guest of Georgia, every dis- 
tinction possible was lavished upon him. His colors, his 



192 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

badges, and pictnres of him were seen everywhere, and 
after his departure were treasured as mementoes of his visit. 

When the Creek question was again brought before Con- 
gress, Crowell, the Indian agent, was sustained; the In- 
dian Springs treaty was repudiated, and another one was 
drafted by new commissioners. Gov. Troup, standing 
flat-footed on the ''old treaty," utterly refused to acknowl- 
edge the new one. For three reasons he held it to be a 
blank paper: First, it prescribed diflt'erent boundaries than 
those to which Georgia was entitled by the contract of 
1802; second, the jurisdiction over the Chattahoochee river^ 
which had always been absolute in Georgia, was to be di- 
vided with x\ labama ; and third, lands were to be taken from 
Georgia and given forever to the Creeks. If Georgia had. 
been willing to resign her rights, she could not have ac- 
knowledged "the new treaty" without admitting the- 
charges against the spotless characters of Campbell and 
Meriwether, and insulting the memory of the chief, Wil- 
liam Mcintosh ! The noble Troup was incapabe of aban- 
doning principle for expediency ! 

The pretext under Avhich the Federal Government tried: 
to set aside the "old treaty" was, that Campbell and Meri- 
wether had bribed the chiefs who signed it, by giving them 
presents. This had ahvays been done in Georgia whenever 
treaties were made ; the Indians would not have understood 
it, and ^\'ould have been offended if the presents had been 
withheld. This time-honored custom was instituted by 
Oglethorpe, the soldier, scholar, statesman and philanthro- 
pist; it was continued when Georgia was a royal province^ 
and when she became a sovereign State. This fact was. 
"well known. 

13g 193 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The Legislature, in both branches, belonged to the 
Clarke party, but tliey cordially supported the Governor 
in his present position. Upholding the rights of Georgia, 
they resolved that the "old treaty" should be insisted upon 
and carried into effect. They passed a strong resolution 
endorsing the integrity of Campbell and Meriwether. The 
Georgia delegation in Congress also fought the ''new 
treaty" to the last, the speeches of Berrien and Forsyth 
being particularly effective. 

As soon as the Legislature had acted upon this matter, 
Gov. Troup caused the boundary line between Georgia and 
Alabama to be run according to the contract made in 1802, 
find ordered a survey of the Creek lands embraced in the 
""old treaty." After the work had continued for several 
months, without any opposition, some of the hostile In- 
dians complained to the Federal Government. President 
Adams made this a pretext for ordering the arrest of the 
surveyors. The Secretary of War sent Lieut. Yinton to 
Georgia, with the threat that military force would be used 
if the survey was not stopped. The Lieutenant was told 
that he must preserve the utmost secrecy in the execution 
of his mission, because his personal safety would be in- 
volved. Our governor indignantly wrote to the Secre- 
tary: "You mistake the character of the people of Georgia. 
Officers of the General Government, engaged in the per- 
formance of lawful duties, have only to de])ort themselves 
as gentlemen to find the same security and protection in 
Georgia, as'under the JEgis of the government at Wash- 
ington." 

When Gov. Troup received the President's threat in re- 
gard to the survey, witliout losing a day, he directed that 

194 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

:any officer who attempted to arrest one of the surveyors 
should be brought to justice. lie also issued orders to the 
generals of militia to hold themselves in readiness to repel 
any hostile invasion of the State. His message to the 
Federal Government was, in eti'ect, that force would be met 
with force. 

There were at this time several hundred United States 
regulars on the Chattahoochee river, and a collision be- 
tween the two governments seemed imminent; but there 
was one difficulty in the way, which the President had over- 
looked. Of the three regiments in the South, two were 
commanded by Georgians — Mcintosh and Twiggs. Their 
ancestors were among the first settlers of our State; their 
fathers had suffered for its independence; and these worthy 
sons of such sires promptly wrote to the authorities at Wash- 
ington that if they were required to take up arms against 
Georgia they would resign. Gov. Troup communicated 
Avith the Secretary of War, saying that any attack on the 
.sovereignty of Georgia would be resisted to the utmost. 

The Avhole subject was submitted to Congress, but no 
further steps were taken to interfere with the Indian 
.Spring treaty, and the matter was finally dropped. The 
surveyors completed their work without interruption, and 
the land acquired under the "old treaty" Avas organized. 
An act of Legislature then disposed of it by lotterj^ Thus 
were Georgia's rights preserved, and thus did her fearless 
governor triumph ! 

Of the new counties now laid out, one was named Troup ; 
another Muscogee, to perpetuate the memory of the Creeks 
who had so long OAvned the soil; and a third was called 
Coweta, to honor the brave and generous Mcintosh, who 
was the head chief of the Coweta towns. 

195 



CHAPTER XXI. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 
1820—1830. 

In compliance with usage, Gov. Troup retired from of- 
fice at the expiration of his second term, but his services- 
were too valuable and he was too much devoted to Geor- 
gia's interests to be allowed to live in private. John For- 
syth, of the Crawford party, became our next governor,, 
and Mr. Troup was soon elected to Congress. 

The Tariff Act, called in Georgia the "Bill of Abomina- 
tions," which was passed while J\ir. Adams was President, 
was strongly resented by our congi-essmen. The. 
!N^orthern, Middle and Western States made common cause- 
against the South by endeavoring to force upon her, goods 
of northern manufacture. They put such a heavy duty 
upon imported goods, that ISTew England fabrics were much 
the cheapest of the two, imported goods being actually 
taxed beyond their cost ! 

Georgia was incensed at the passage of this Act, and pub- 
lic meetings were held all over the State to express the in- 
dignation of our people. The men resolved that they 
would dress in Georgia homespun instead of New England- 
cloth, eat their hominy without the Kentucky hog as an ac- 
companiment, and walk, rather than ride Western horses. 
Our women also took fire at the idea of the tariff law, in- 

196 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

.■sisting that their husbands, sons and brothers in Congress 
.should hold out a flag of defiance to the USTorthern members 
by dressing in home-made clothes. So, at the opening of 
the next session all our representatives from the up-coun- 
try were dressed in homespun. George Gilmer, of Ogle- 
thorpe county, wore a coat made of the finest wool, dyed 
with indigo, and mixed with black silk in carding. The 
collar and cuffs were covered wiih black silk velvet, and it 
was worn with a rich silk-velvet vest. The cloth for this 
-coat was presented to him by one of his female constituents, 
and it was made by a first-class tailor. The very becoming 
coats of the Georgia members attracted universal attention, 
. It was about this time that a mass of gold weighing three 
■ounces was found on Duke's creek, in Habersham county. 
This was the first gold ever found in Georgia, so far as the 
white people knew. Other discoveries were soon made in 
that part of the State. Some of the mines were very rich, 
especially those about Dahlonega. 

Gen. Andrew Jackson was now President. Without any 
.caucus nomination, he had been supported in all parts of the 
Union by those who were opposed to the administration of 
Mr, Adams. A small newspaper, called the '^Jacksonian," 
published at McDonough, in Henry county, Georgia, was 
the first one in the United States to nominate him for the 
presidency. 

During this year an aerolite fell near Forsyth. About 
the middle of a May afternoon, a black cloud appeared in 
the heavens, from which, in quick succession, two distinct 
•explosions were heard; these were followed by a whizzing, 
noise passing through the air, which lasted full four 
jninutes. As was afterwards ac^ccrtained, the stone weighed 

197 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

thirty-six pounds, and, in its fall, bnried itself two and a 
half feet in the earth. Its appearance was that of having 
been in a furnace ; it was covered with a black substance re- 
sembling melted lava, and about the thickness of an ordi- 
nary knife-blade. When this stone was broken, it emitted 
a strong smell of sulphur, and had a metallic, silver-like ap- 
pearance. A fine specimen of this aerolite is preserved in 
the museum of the University at Athens. . 

There occurred in this decade the most remarkable cir- 
cumstance which has ever happened in the history of an 
Indian tribe. It was the invention of the Cherokee alpha- 
bet by George Guess, whose Indian name was Se-quo-ia^ 
and who had no knowledge of any language except his own. 
This Georgia Cadmus lived in what is now Chattooga 
county; in appearance and habits he was a full Cherokee, 
though his paternal grandfather was a white man. 

His inventive genius was aroused by hearing some young 
men of his tribe commenting upon the superior talents of 
the whites. One of them told how wdiite men could put 
talk on paper, send it any distance, and it would be under- 
stood by those who received it. They all agreed that this 
was a very strange thing, and they did not understand how 
it w^as done. 

George Guess, who had been a silent listener to the con- 
versation, said, with an important air: ''Why, the thing is 
very easy. I can do it myself." And, picking up a flat 
stone, he began to scratch on it with a pin; after a few 
minutes he read them a sentence which he had written, by 
making a mark for each word. 

This produced a laugh, and the subject was dropped; but 
it left an indelible impression upon the mind of Guess. 

198 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Nothing short of being able to write the Cherokee hmguage 
woiild now satisfy him, so he bought material and set 
about painting the language on paper, having a character to 
represent each word. After laboring over this task for 
almost two years, and having made several thousand chai- 
acters, he became convinced that this was not the way to 
accomplish his purpose. Pie was by no means discouraged, 
though he was ridiculed by some of his friends and 
strenuously opposed by all of them, as they thought he was 
wasting his time. He would listen patiently to their ex- 
postulations, and then, without attempting to vindicate his 
conduct, deliberately light his pipe and again sit down to 
his work. 

He was firmly convinced that there was a way to express 
the Clierokee language on paper, for he had seen white 
men writing and he had seen books. He said: "If I could 
fix certain marks to represent sounds, I could make things 
fast on paper, and it would be like catching a wild animal 
and taming it." So, he continued to work with the perse- 
verance of genius, until he discovered that certain syllables 
were repeated in many words of his native tongue, and that 
the same character could be used in these different words. 
After that he had no more trouble, and in one month had 
formed a complete alphabet, perhaps the only syllabic one 
in existence. 

In forming his oharacters Guess used some of the 
English letters, which he found in a spelling-book that he 
owned; but he knew nothing of their nature, and applied 
them to sounds wholly different from those they represent 
in English. Most of the letters were of his own invention. 

Tlie Cherokee language, though the most copious of the 

199 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. • 

Indian dialects in the United States, is only composed of 
the various combinations of sixty monosyllables, which con- 
stituted Guess's alphabet. The accomplishment of this 
work by a man and among a people never accustomed to 
inventive study, is truly wonderful, and shows the superi- 
ority of the Cherokees over all other Indian tribes. 

"When his work was ended. Guess took one of his friends 
aside, explained the alphabet to him, and said: "AYe can 
now have speaking papers as well as white men." 

lie found great difficulty in persuading any of his people 
to learn it; nor did he ever overcome their prejudices until 
he went to Arkansas to visit some of the IsTation who had 
emigrated, and taught a few of them to read and write their 
language. One of them wrote to a friend in Georgia and 
sent the letter back by Guess, who read it to many of his 
people. It excited a great deal of curiosity. Here was 
talk in the Cherokee tongue that had come from beyond 
the Great River, sealed up in a paper, yet it was very plain. 
His friends became convinced that his system was of some 
use, and resolved to learn it. This they accomplished in a 
few days, owing to its extreme simplicity. Any one, by 
fixing in his memory the names and forms of the letters, 
immediately possessed the art of reading and writing. 
From this beginning, in a few months, and without any 
schools, the Cherokees were able to read and write in their 
own language. Tavo or three years afterwards they were 
carrying on correspondence between the different tribes of 
their jSTation, taking receipts, and giving promissory notes. 
It became a common thing in the JSTation to see directions 
for the different paths inscribed in Cherokee characters 
on the trees. Thus, George Guess had the satisfaction of 

200 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

!^eeing his whole people enjoying the frnits of his labor, 
greatly benefited by it, and raised to a higher plane of 
'Civilization. 

Our Governor, John Forsyth, was a Virginian by birth 
and blood, but was raised in Georgia from his fourth year; 
in iieart, feeling and interests he was a Georgian. How 
warmly he advocated the welfare of our State in Congress 
is well known. While he was United States Senator, he 
Avas appointed minister to Spain. It was by his skill and 
prudence that the differences between that country and the 
Federal Government in reference to Florida were finally 
;adj listed. 

Forsyth was a beautiful speaker, and when he had the 
-:floor he never failed to attract attention. "His language was 
; always courteous and complimentary to his antagonist. 
Without ever exhibiting passion, he evinced deep feeling. 
His voice was peculiarly melodious, and, without talking 
rapidly, the words seemed to melt into each other like one 
•continued soimd. He used but little gesture, and his most 
emphatic passages were always in an undertone, which pro- 
duced a solemn effect and left a deep impression. It was 
tlie still, small voice in which he poured out heart and soul 
.and feeling, charming his audience into a silence, as if they 
were listening to the last fading notes of an ^Eolian harp, 
w^hen they felt that the spirit of the wind was fading away." 

Through his seiwices to State and Nation, "the name and 
fame of John Forsyth became embalmed as national 
wealth." 

Cotton was now extensively cultivated in middle and 
southern Georgia, and had become our chief export. 



201 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

On most plantations the cloth for the negroes' clothes 
continued to be made on hand looms, as there were only 
two or three factories in Creorgia. 

When this decade ended, George R. Gilmer was occupy- 
ing the Chair of State. 



Towns settled in this decade were Bainbridge, Appling^ 
Clayton, Clarkesville, Cuthbert, Columbus, Forsyth, La 
Grange, Macon, ISTewnan, Thomaston, Talbotton, Thomas- 
ville. 



202 



CHAPTER XXII. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 
1880—1840. 

Comiuencement week at Athens was the favorite oc- 
casion for the assembling- of Georgia's active politicians. 
Many of them were trustees of the University, and this 
was their best opportunity for meeting to exchange views 
and discuss State affairs, Newspapers were still few and 
unimportant, and it was at Athens, in 1829, that Geo7'ge 
R. Gilmer was first asked to become a candidate for execu- 
tive honors. The Clarke party made no nomination, Gil- 
mer's opponent being a Crawford man. Gov. Gilmer 
thought that tlie factions which had so long disturbed our 
State should new forget their differences. With noble 
patriotism he sought to accomplish this result, but with 
indifferent success. 

Early in his administration he had to struggle with great 
difficulties in reference to the C/herokees, and this brought 
upon him much abuse from beyond his own State. 

Georgia congressmen were tauntingly asked: *'Wliy not 
let the Cherokees remain among you ? Why not foster and 
improve them, and let them add to 3'our numbers and 
wealth ?" 

The truth of the matter was, that there had never been 
any interchange of the productions of labor between Geor- 

203 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

^ia and these Indians. They had added nothing to the 
stores of human knowledge, and their chief wealth consisted 
of skins and canoes ; the land was not owned by individuals, 
but belonged to the IsTation. The Cherokee country was 
situated among the mountains, and about the head waters 
of; the Savannah and Chattahoochee rivers. At this time, 
they had taken jDossession of a considerable body of land 
lying south of tliem; it had been abandoned by the Creeks, 
but, of course, belonged to Georgia. Game had been de- 
creasing with the Cherokees for forty years, and this fact 
tempted them to seize the territory now in dispute. Here 
their cattle could live upon the cane, and they could ex- 
change hunting for herding. They claimed to have won 
this body of land from the (?reeks by defeating them in a 
game of ball. The tract included what afterwards became 
Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties. 

V\"hen our Legislature convened, it authorized the im- 
mediate survey and occupancy of the territory, and for this 
the Indians sought revenge. One cold night, when the 
ground was covered with snow, they set fire to the houses 
of the white settlers, and a number of women and- children 
were thus deprived of shelter in the most inclement 
weather. 

Gov. Gilmer had to contend with another complication 
at this time. Georgia had found it absolutely necessary to 
extend her criminal jurisdiction over the Cherokee Nation, 
as violators of the law fled there to escape justice. The In- 
dians resented this ; and when one of them was arrested and 
convicted of murder, a head chief, John Ross, appealed to 
the Supreme Court of the United States for an injunction 
to restrain the State of Georgia from executing her laws 

204 



A. SOVEREIGN STATE. 

within Cherokee territory. Onr Governor was warned that 
he would be cited to appear for the State when the case was 
called for trial. He replied that any orders interfering, 
with the courts of Georgia would be disregarded, and that, 
if the Supreme Court should attempt to enforce them, he 
would resist with the military. The Supreme Court de- 
cided that the State affairs of Georgia were outside of its 
jurisdiction. 

Georgia's position caused much excitement in the North- 
ern States, and many were the meetings held and the peti- 
tions forwarded to Congress in behalf of the Cherokees. 
The excitement soon became more intense, because several 
Northern missionaries were arrested and convicted of ille- 
gal residence among these Indians. 

The Legislature had passed a law forbidding white peo- 
ple to reside among the Cherokees without a special permit^ 
and the Governor notified white men living in the Nation 
that an oath of allegiance to the laws of Georgia, and resi- 
dence license, would be necessary if they desired to remain. 
The missionaries — about t^velve in number — thought 
proper to disregard this warning, and were duly arrested. 
All of them finally took the oath except two, who were- 
sent to the penitentiary, which was the penalty for disre- 
garding this law. 

Gov. Gilmer offered to release them on condition that 
they would remove from the Cherokee territory if unwil- 
ling to take the oath. They declined his clemency, and en- 
tered the penitentiary as living monuments of fanaticism. 

The missionaries had used their position among the In- 
dians to give tliem political counsel, and had thus been a 
serious obstacle in the arrangements which Georgia pro- 
posed to make with them. 

::05 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

After a tiiiio, b_v the advice ef their friemls, the two mis- 
sionaries who were in pris»ni ehangvd their course. They 
withdrew their suit, I hen pcnuliiig in the Supreme Court of 
the United States, and wrote to Gov. Gilmer that they 
wouhi yiekl to the authority of Georgia. The whole spirit 
of tluur eoniniunieation was ohjeetiouable, and they stated 
that their views liad undergone no change. The Governor 
replied that if they regarded their principles so highly, 
they )night stand by them in the penitentiary. Then they 
jointly wrote a most lespectful letter, saying that they had 
never intended to offer any indignity to the State or its 
authorities, and that they would obey the laws of Georgia. 
Whereupon, they were pardoned, after having obstinately 
remained in prison for more than a year. 

Gross misrepresentations of the facts in this atfair were 
freely circulated at the North. The impression was made 
upon the public, that the nussionaries were ptit in the peni- 
tentiary on account of their etiorts to christianize the 
(Tierokees, while the fact that they had violated the law 
was carefully concealed. Georgia was ranked with the 
despotisms of the East; and her (lovernor was compared to 
Dionysius, Draco and Xero. 

Another vexation which (Jov. Gilmer encountered early 
in his administration was caused by illegal mining in the 
gold region. Thousands of idle and profligate persons 
flocked thither from every point of the compass. They 
were restrained neither by law nor public opinion. After 
wading all day, picking up small particles of gold in the 
creeks which form the Etowah and Chattahoochee rivers, 
at night they collected around lightwood-knot fires to gam- 
ble away their profits, and whisky-drinking, swearing and 

206 



A S(>\i<:in':i(;N static. 

tight iui;' were iVccIv iihliili^cd. A prochiiiial ioii r(irl)i(l(liii<;' 
trospassors to gntlicr gold iii;i<l(' \{'vy lilllc iinprcs^idii, niid 
it, \\':is sdoii (jiscdx'crcd tlint, sdldicrs' |)iiyoii('ts wci'c more cf- 
fectivo tiiaii writs of iiijniiction and suits (d' law. 

Al'tci' tln^ gold-diggvi's had Innm sci/cd hv soldicis and 
<^.\|H'll('d iVoiii the comilry, halfdyrccd ( 'hcrokccs, and the 
white pcoplt' who wcro licensed to li\c anKnig them, sc^- 
cretly continued !(► collccl gdld. ll was a great, trial to the 
(iooi'g'ians living on the ('herokec I'ronlier lo keep away 
IVoni the mines which belonged to their Slate, while llie 
g'ohl was heiiig stolen by the Indian^, and llier(i was dunger 
of trouble between these two classes. As it was found im- 
possible to ])rotect t lie Indian couidry from intruders and 
the gold mines from I I'espassors, by ci\il law, Mie Legisla- 
ture authorized a military company to l)e raised for that 
])ur|)ose. it was coui])osed of forty men, with necetiisary 
ollicers. it, was called the "(ieorgia (Jiiard," and was sta- 
tioned near the gold mines. 

On the i"_!th of l*\'l)ruary, lis;>;5, it was one hundred years 
since (!eii. ()glelhorpe had planted his colony on ^'arna- 
ci'aw IJInir. Then (ieorgia was a feeble de|»end(!ncy of 
(li-eat, iJi'itain; now it was a strong and iioiu'ishing re|)ub- 
lic. Our liCgislature has heen remiss in not having this 
anniversaiw celebrated as an annual State holiday. 

hi iS[oveniber of this year there occurred over the whole 
State a Avonderful meteoric shower. It is still currently 
sj)oken of as the "stai-s falling." 'i'he night was remark- 
ably line. Not a cloud obscured the heavens, when sud- 
ilenly — between eleven and twelve o'clock — the stars ap- 
])eared to he shooting from their orbits. They fell faster 
and faster, until it seemed to be raining stars — north, south, 

207 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

east, and west, in whatever direction the eyes were turned^ 
the air was full of them. This magnificent and astonish- 
ing spectacle lasted for several hours. It filled the minds- 
of the most enlightened with a certain awe ; so it is not snr- • 
prising that wildest terror seized the ignorant, who sup- 
posed that the dreadful sight was but a prelude to the 
sounding of the last trump. Shrieks of horror were heard 
from the negroes on every plantation; some of them 
thought the world was already on fire, and, with hands up- 
raised and bitter cries, implored the Lord to save them and 
the world. 

The eloquent Baptist minister, Jesse Mercer, who did 
more to build up his denomination in the South than any 
other man of his day, was at this time preaching in Greene- 
county. A certain planter and his wife, who lived in this- 
county, were his ardent admirers and members of his 
church. On the memorable night of the meteoric shower, 
some of their negroes, who were sitting up late, quickly 
discovered that there was something unusual going on in 
the heavens; looking out and seeing the "falling stars," 
they were sure that the judgment day had come. With 
loud cries they aroused their fellow-servants, and all rushed 
in a body to the ''big house" to awaken its inmates. The 
mistress was quite convinced that the negroes were right 
in their conjecture, as she stood gazing for a moment at the 
sublime spectacle; but she had a healthy nervous system, 
and she loved God and all His creatures; so, turning to one 
of her maids, she calmly gave the ordejr: "ISTancy, go wake- 
up the children, wash their faces clean, put on their Sunday- 
clothes, and put a biscuit in their pockets." 



208 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

She vv'as making the same preparations for her family to 
meet the Great Judge that she made every Sunday to hear 
Jesse Mercer preach! 

Two years after the meteoric shower the winter was the 
coldest ever known in Georgia. Saturday, after the 7th 
day of January, was called emphatically -''the cold Satur- 
day," and as such is yet remembered. The Savannah 
river was coated with ice at Augusta, orange trees in differ- 
ent sections of the State were almost exterminated, and on 
the seacoast, where the winters are usually very mild, fig 
trees a hundred years old were killed. In middle and 
upper Georgia the snow was more than a foot deep, and 
covered the ground for weeks. 

William Harris Crawford, one of Georgia's most illus- 
trious sons, died in the autumn of 1834. After a quiet, 
social evening at the house of a friend, he was the next 
morning found dead in his bed. Struggling against dis- 
ease and the weakness of old age, he performed the duties 
of his office to the last day of his life. Let him be an ex- 
ample to his young countrymen of this generation ! 

* "Five years only the representative of the State — al- 
ways after that the nation's man, until he was able to serve 
the nation no longer. The country saw that it had in him 
a man beyond most men — of such mind and nerve and 
heart, that he could remain no State's man, but belonged 
to the largest sphere of work for which men are born; and 
the nation took him from the State and kept him in her 
service in this or that high office, and would have made him 
its chief; and never did he cease to rise, and never did he 
go back one step in his wonderful career, until his splendid 
frame gave way." 

*Extract from the speech of Charles N. West, delivered before- 
the Georgia Historical Society at Savannah, May 2, 1892. 
14g • 209 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 
1830—1840. 

The Indian question constantly menaced the peace of 
Georgia during this decade. A change had taken place in 
the sentiments of a majority of the Cherokee jSTation in re- 
gard to emigration; but a strong minority still violently op- 
posed it. John Ridge was the leader of those who were 
willing to move West, while John Ross headed the opposite 
party. 

John Ridge was a man of considerable education. On 
various occasions he accompanied Cherokee delegations to 
Washington City, acting as interpreter, secretary, and 
agent. His father, Maj. Ridge, had helped Georgia fight 
in the Creek war, and had greatly distinguished himself at 
the battle of Horseshoe Bend. 

John Ross declared that he had no unfriendly feelings 
to Ridge or his party; that whatever he did was designed 
to promote the best interests of his people. John Ridge 
met him more than half way, saying that he did not agree 
with Ross as to the best course for them to pursue, but he 
loved his !N"ation, and honestly tried to counsel the people 
wisely; that, if Ross could bring their difficulties to an end, 
or settle them in some better way than by emigration, he 
would gladly accept it and acknowledge him the principal 

210 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

chief of the ISTation; that he was willing, at all times, to 
unite with him in any measures that would truly promote 
the peace and prosperity of their distressed people. Ross's 
professions of friendship were only from the lips; and it 
was ]iot long before several prominent Cherokees were shot 
by unknown hands simply because they were favorable to 
the policy of emigration. 

No one who is familiar with the portion of our State 
then occupied by the Cherokees— which, with its wooded 
mountains, fertile valleys, limpid streams, beautiful rapids 
and sequestered vales, may well be called the Switzerland 
of Georgia — will wonder that the love of these Indians for 
its soil was a passion. 

The citizens on the frontier felt considerable alarm when 
the Indians who were friendly to Georgia's claims, began 
to be murdered in this secret manner. They held meetings, 
adopted stringent resolutions, and requested our Governor, 
Wilson Lumpkin, to station troops at suitable points to pro- 
tect them. This was done, and peace was preserved. 

It was in this condition of affairs, when the attention of 
the whole United States was turned upon Georgia and the 
Cherokee Indians, that John Howard Payne, the famous 
author of "Home, Sweet Home," proposed to solve the In- 
dian question. He was connected with a paper in ISTew 
York City, so he had an organ for his opinions and obser- 
vations, and determined to make a trip to Georgia, go to 
the Xation, and study the subject on the spot. 

He had not sojourned long among the Cherokees before 
he was arrested by the '^Georgia Guard." When his papers 
were examined, they were found to contain very improper 
and indiscreet statements in relation to the President and 

211 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

the Georgia authorities, and many bitter remarks conceni- 
ing Cherokee affairs. The "Georgia Guard" considered 
him a spy, and treated him with great indignity until he 
made friends with a musical soldier who was whistling 
"Home, Sweet Home." When he found that the prisoner 
was the author of that beautifid and world-renowned air, 
he befriended him as long as he was in captivity. "When 
Payne was an-ested he was with John Eoss. He owed his 
liberty, in the tirst instance, to the exertions of Gen. Ed- 
ward Harden, of Athens, to whom he had brought a letter 
of introduction on his arrival in Georgia. 

As the arrest of Payne was made in Tennessee, the Gov- 
ernor of that State addressed a letter of remonstrance to 
William Schley, the Executive of Georgia, in relation to 
this matter. Before that letter was received, however, the 
conduct of the "Georgia Guard" in disregarding the rights 
of a sister State had been condemned by the Legislature. 
In the end, Payne wa3 exonerated from any treasonable de- 
signs against the peace of Georgia, and honorably liberated. 

It was in the last month of this year that the small rem- 
nant of Seminoles still remaining in Florida took up arms 
under their famous chief, Osceola. Their first hostile act 
was to murder the United States agent who resided among 
them. Semmole is a Creek word, meaning wanderer, and 
this tribe was composed of refugees from various others. 

The Upper Creeks, hearing of this outbreak, resolved to 
seize the opportunity to strike another blow at Georgia. 
Assembling in large nmnbers, they committed many mur- 
ders on the Chattahoochee river, so that numbers of the 
frontier people were compelled to forsake their homes and 
seek refuge in the large towns. 

212 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Volunteer companies were formed all over the State. 
In G^^^nnett county, in less than two hours after receiving 
the Governor's call for volunteers, two companies of one 
hundred men each were organized, and the citizens of the 
county contributed six hundred dollars to aid in giving 
tbem an outfit. 

Gov. Schley took the field in person, making Columbus 
his headquarters. Here he was joined by Gen. Scott, 
whom the Federal Government had sent to conduct the 
Seminole war. Among the many Georgians who assisted 
Gen. Scott was Judge William C. Dawson, wdio raised a 
company for the service. 

The Federal General marched first into the Creek coun- 
try. Many of the Indians surrendered after slight skir- 
mishes, saying they desired peace. As they surrenderd, 
they were sent West as fast as the necessary arrangements 
could be made for safe transportation. 

The majority of the Creeks still continued in arms. In 
jNfay a party of them attacked Roanoke, a small village on 
the Chattalioochee river, in Stewart county. They de- 
stroyed the boat "Georgia," which was lying on the river, 
and only one of the men on board escaped their murderous 
fire. The attack on the town was repelled, but two days 
afterwards the Indians surprised it at night, when most of 
its citizens were wrapped in slumber. The firing of rifles and 
the yells of the Creeks gave the first alarm that the enemy 
was near. The citizens sprang to arms and rushed to at- 
tack them; but being outnumbered were compelled to 
abandon the town, having, however, to force a way through 
their enemies. A negro boy named Peter fought so des- 
perately by his master's side, that the Indians made every 

213 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

exertion to kill him, but were unsuccessful. After the 
Avhites retreated, Roanoke was burned to ashes. 

A few weeks afterwards, Capt. Hamilton G-armany's de- 
tachment had a battle on Dr. Sheppard's plantation, with 
the same party of Creeks. The Indians, being reinforced 
from time to time, flanked the Georgians and divided them. 
Capt. Garmany, with a small band, sought the protection of 
a ginhouse, ordering his men to reserve their fire until they 
were sure that they could kill the enemy. Taking a posi- 
tion behind a tree that screened him from view, he killed 
two Indians, but was then wounded in the thigh and felL 
His men cried out to each other that he was killed, and 
were on the verge of a panic, when he shouted to them to 
fight on, as he was only wounded. His command on the 
other flank of the enemy were keeping up the fight with 
vigor and energy. 

In the meantime, Capt. Garmany, lying seriously wound- 
ed behind the tree, noticed an Indian gliding towards him 
with a drawn knife. As soon as he was within range, the 
Captain raised himself with an effort and shot him. Then, 
taking his pocket pistol in his hand ready for another at- 
tack, he determined to sell his life dearly. 

Just at this critical moment Maj. Jemigan arrived with 
reinforcements from Fort Jones, three miles below, and 
charged upon the Indians. This diverted their attention 
from the wounded officer, who was at once placed on horse- 
back behind one of his men and carried to the Fort. All 
the Georgians stood firm at their posts until ordered to re- 
treat, when they, too, made their way to the Fort. 

Thus ended one of the most desperate battles fought 
during this outbreak of the Creeks. The Indians engaged 
in the battle of Sheppard's plantation, being determined to 

214 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

join the Seminoles in Florida, continued on their way, plun- 
dering and killing as they had opportunity. 

In a very lonely situation, near the road leading from 
Albany to Blakely, there stood for twenty years or more 
after this decade a dilapidated, uninhabited house, the 
very picture of desolation. To a believer in ghosts it 
seemed a fit spot for their nocturnal visits. In the dusky 
twilight, a traveller, approaching it, would almost expect 
to see spectral forms gliding through the dismal rooms. 
The surroundings were in keeping with the house. The 
woods looked dark and gloomy ; long moss hung in curtains 
from the trees, as if Nature, in sympathy with the victims 
of some awful tragedy, had clothed herself in the habili- 
ments of woe. 

This house, in fact, had been the scene of a bloody crime, 
perpetrated by this same band of Creeks. The owner had 
offended them deeply, and they resolved to have their re- 
venge while they were on the "war path." 

At this particular time, the house was all open, and the 
servants busy with the usual duties of the early morning. 
The planter and his family, with several neighbors as 
guests, had just gathered around the breakfast table, when 
their blood was chilled by the war-whoop of the Creeks, 
who, concealed by the forest, had approached the house un- 
seen. The demon of revenge took possession of them, and 
this whole family fell victims to their fury, the blood of 
father, mother, children, neighbors and servants mingling 
together. 

"What added to the horror of this terrible deed was, that 

the plantation had changed hands, and in their blind rage 

the Creeks had missed the object of their vengeance and 

destroyed an innocent family. 

215 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 
1830—1840. 

A swift vengeance overtook that band of cruel Creeks 
who had committed so many crimes. Two small companies 
of Baker county militia followed their trail. When close 
upon the Indians they dispersed in small squads, to protect 
the people and wait for reinforcements. 

The Indians saw that they could not continue their jour- 
ney, and three hundred of their warriors penetrated to an 
island in the middle of Chickasawhatchee Swamp, in Baker 
county, and there fortified themselves. This swamp is fif- 
teen miles long, and from four to eight miles wide, with 
here and there a dry spot of earth. At this time it was in- 
fested with alligators, bears and wolves. Not a white man 
had any but the vaguest knowledge of it; the Creeks knew 
it well. 

A week after the Indians had made a stand the militia 
were joined by several companies, consisting of both in- 
fantry and cavalry, the whole under command of Col. 
Beall. 

It was determined to attack at once the Indians in their 
stronghold. Accordingly, two hundred soldiers were sta- 
tioned to prevent their escape. The rest of the command 
penetrated the swamp through undergrowth, mud, and 
water which was sometimes up to their waists, until they 
reached the island. Here a very hard battle was fought. 

216 



A SOVEREIGN STATE 

It had only lasted sometliiiig over thirty minutes when the 
Creeks fled. They were closely pursued, and most of them 
either killed or captured. Their camp, with its tents, pro- 
visions, horses and many rifles, fell into the hands of the 
victorious Georgians. So eager were our soldiers to fight 
this band of bloody Creeks, that, when it became necessary 
to leave a guard with the horses while their riders were ab- 
sent in the swamp, not a man was willing to remain, and 
the ofiicers were compelled to detail soldiers for that duty. 

This was a very important victory, as it prevented a body 
of brave and experienced warriors from joining the Semi- 
noles who were giving the Federal Government much 
trouble; and though the Georgia troops who won it were 
militia with little experience or discipline, they behaved 
with great coolness and bravery. 

A little later on, a sharp battle was fought with another 
band of Creeks, at the Echowanotchaway Swamp, in Ran- 
dolph county. The Georgians were commanded by Maj. 
Jernigan, and Gen. William Wellborn reinforced him. 

The Indians fought with desperation, contesting every 
foot of the ground; but being at last forced from their 
strong positions, they were soon defeated. 

A company of Creeks on their way to the Seminoles at- 
tempted to pass through Thomas county, when several vol- 
imteer companies from this county and Lowndes, under 
Maj. Young, went in pursuit of them. ]Srot an Indian had 
been seen, when our soldiers, worn out with their hasty 
march, stopped for the night. During the evening they 
were joined in camp by jCapt. Sharpe and Capt, Tucker. 
It w^as owing to the vigilance and perseverance of the 
former that the Indian trail was found. 

217 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Never did a braver band march against an enemy. Sus- 
tained by love for their State, and willing to die to protect 
her sacred altars, they stood the shock of battle like veter- 
ans, while the foe poured a heavy fire into their ranks. At 
last the Creeks gave way, and were pursued nearly three 
miles, our soldiers using their guns with deadly effect 
during the pursuit. 

]Srot long after this event the Creek chiefs, becoming 
dispirited by so many reverses, sued for peace and sur- 
rendered their bands. They were sent by installments to 
the West, until not one member of the once powerful Creeic 
ISTation remained on Georgia soil. 

While all these svents were taking place, many Geor- 
gians were assisting the Federal soldiers in Florida and 
fighting the Upper Creeks in Alabama. Capt. Morris and 
his company from Franklin county won a great reputation 
in the latter State, their daring deeds being the chief theme 
of their associates in arms. 

One of these volunteers had a strange experience. After 
a battle, he was in hot pursuit of a Creek, who, finding that 
he would be caught, tried to save himself by running 
among a group of Indian women. Two of them seized the 
Franklin county soldier and held him fast. It was in vain 
that he exerted himself to get away from them; and when 
they made a furious assault upon him with knives, he drew 
his bowie-knife, and in self-defense gave each woman a 
blow w^hich killed her. 

Another Georgian had an unusual adventure. Duncan 
McKrimmon, of Milledgeville, fighting against the Semi- 
noles in Florida, had the misfortune to be captured by a 
party of them, led by the renowned prophet, Francis. 
This chief wore an elegant uniform, had a fine brace of 

218 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

pistols, and exiilting'ly displayed to his prisoner the com- 
mission as brigadier-general, ^vhich he had received from 
the British. Arrived at the camp, the ferocious prophet 
had McKrimmon's head shaved, his clothes removed, and 
then had him tied to a stake around which the Seminoles 
danced for several hours, all the while yelling most hor- 
ribly. Milly, the fifteen-year-old daughter of the prophet, 
sat with the rest of the Indians watching this savage scene. 
Amidst the general joy, she alone was sad and silent. 
When the last awful moment came, and the fatal toma- 
hawk was raised to strike the prisoner dead, quick as 
thought, Milly sprang up and placed herself before him. 
The executioner paused in astonishment, and, taking ad- 
vantage of it, she implored her father's pity for McKrim- 
mon, and said that if he thirsted for human blood he might 
shed hers, for she would not survive the prisoner. Her 
father yielded to her wishes; but with the intention, as was 
afterwards discovered, of murdering them both, if he could 
not sell McKrimmon to the Spaniards. Happily the sale 
was effected in a few days, at St. Marks, for seven and a 
half gallons of rum. As long as the Georgian was a pris- 
oner Milly continued to show him acts of kindness. 

In two years the fortunes of war had placed the Semi- 
noles at the mercy of the Federal government. Milly 
Francis and a number of her people went to Fort Gadsden 
in a starving condition, and surrendered. It was generally 
known how she had acted as the guardian angel of a Geor- 
gia militiaman, and the commanding officer treated her 
with great respect. "When Mr. McKrimmon heard of 
Milly's distress, he hastened from his Georgia home to her 
assistance, and did all in his power to alleviate her mis- 
fortunes. Such incidents as these soften the horrors of war. 

219 



GEOEGIA L \ND AND PEOPLE. 

After the surrender of the Creeks, Capt. Garmany and 
his soldiers, returning from tJie war, stopped at JSTewnan, 
and were entertained with great enthusiasm. Crowds of 
people from the surrounding country joined the citizens 
in giving the soldiers an ovation at the court-house. Col. 
W. D. Spear was in the chair, and appropriate speeches 
were made. A song containing eight verses was sung three 
times, with weeping eyes and great applause. 

It was called "Capt. Garmany's Fight." Tune — ^Scots 
wha hae wd,' &c. 

The first verse of this mournful ditty is as follows: 

" See the Chattahoochee flow 
By Roanoke descending low ; 
There our soldiers met the foe 
Fierce as panther prowling." 

The citizens of ISTewnan were anxious to entertain the 
soldiers until next day; but anxiety to see their families 
forced them to decline further hospitalities. 

As a State,, Georgia has always been sympathetic and 
generous, so it was not with indifference that she witnessed 
the struggle of the Texan colonists against the overbearing 
conduct and gross injustice of the Mexican officials. 

When no remedy but a revolution was left, Georgians 
were found fighting with the Texans, shoulder to shoulder, 
from Gonzales to San Jacinto. Georgians were massacred 
at the Alamo and murdered with Fannin at Goliad. It was 
a Georgian, Mirabeau B. Lamar, who, in the decisive battle 
of San Jacinto, at the head of his sixty horsemen, rode into 
Santa Anna's ranks, and as he made his memorable charge 
arose in his stirrups and, waving his sword over his head, ex- 
claimed : "Remember the Alamo ! Kemember Goliad ! 
Charge! and strike in vengeance for the murdered of our 

companions !" 

220 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Closely following him, his command, resistless as a cy- 
clone, swept down upon the foe, charging right through 
their ranks, throwing them into confusion and following 
them for miles in their flight. 

The capture of Santa Anna was attributed to this charge. 

Many members of the Lamar family have been promi- 
nent in Georgia and other States. 

That great results often start from small beginnings is 
proverbial; and such was the case with the first railroad 
ever built in Georgia. 

In one of the stately homes of Athens the owners and 
directors of Princeton Factory had met to talk over its 
affairs. They were just having the machinery put in, 
and all of this had to be hauled from Augusta in 
wagons. The shaft for the factory had, during all 
the winter, been stuck in the mud in a narrow, boggy 
road in Wilkes county, called '^Pope's lane," which was 
four or five miles long. While discussing ways and means 
of getting the shaft to Athens, one of the gentlemen wlio 
had recently returned from Delaware, where there was a 
short railroad, remarked: "What a pity we haven't a rail- 
road to Augusta." Another said: "Why don't you build 
one ?" 

Thus was originated the idea that led to the building of 
the Georgia Railroad, and their host became its first presi- 
dent. A portion of this important road was in operation 
during this decade. 

The time had now arrived when, according to the treaty 
that had been made with the Cherokees, they were to leave 
Georgia and settle in the West. 

George Gilmer was, for the second time, our Governor. 

221 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Even those Cherokees who were convinced that emigra- 
tion -.vas the only way to preserve their I^ation did not 
leave the Land they loved so well without heart-breakmg 
regrets Those who were opposed to the treaty, as one 
last act of spi^te against the whites, tried to destroy "the 
waters of life" in the ''Vale of Springs," by driving plugs 
of wood into the apertures in the slate. 

This remarkable little valley, containing fifty-two bold 
springs, is in AValker county, and is surrounded by moun- 
tains On the eastern side a bold, clear creek comes 
tumbling into it, and, passing rapidly westward, escapes be- 
tween two abrupt peaks. The waters of the medicmal 
springs are so strongly mineral that their character can be 
discovered at a glance. Red sulphur, blue limestone and 
the purest freestone water gush forth within a few feet of 
each other. All these springs either issue from the moun- 
tain side upon a bed of hard black slate, or boil up through 
it The most severe and long continued drouth, makes no 
perceptible difference in their quantity of water. Nature 
has beautified the ''Vale of Springs" with lavish hand and 
it was a favorite resort with the Cherokees, who considered 
its waters life-restoring and life-preserving. 

Again while the facts were unknown to the general pub- 
lic, a great deal that was most abusive was spoken and writ- 
ten of Georgia's policy towards the Cherokees. Afterwards 
every enemy of Georgia was forced to acknowledge that 
emigration had tended to the improvement and happiness 
of the Indians, who, in their new homes, instead of being 
controlled in their public affairs and corrupted m their 
morals by designing white men, were occupying a country 
best suited to their instincts and habits. At the same time 
Georgia was relieved of a constant irritation that acted m- 

222 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

jiirioiislj both on her citizens and the Indians. Her policy 
had been based on the conviction that such would be the 
result. 

^ Had Georgia not stood finnly by her convictions and her 
rights, the Creeks might yet be roaming between the Flint 
and the Chattahoochee rivers; and the Cherokees might 
still, in our mountain land be acknowledging the sway of 
a Ridge or a Ross. 

^ Two Georgia regiments, under Gen. Charles Floyd, as- 
sisted the Federal Government in gathering the Indians 
from their villages into camps, and escorting them to Ross's 
Landing,, now Chattanooga, where they were sent forward 
in boats on their journey to the West. 

It is sad to record that Maj. Ridge, John Ridge, and 
Elias Boudinot, the three Cherokees who took the most 
active part in making the treaty which resulted in emigra- 
tion, were assassinated by the party opposed to it. 

Georgia enjoys the glory of being the first country in 
the world to charter a female college. It is beautifully 
situated on a high hill in the city of Macon, and is called 
the Wesleyan Female College. It was projected in 1836 
and opened for students in January, 1839. Its first Presi- 
dent was the Rev. George Pierce of the Methodist church, 
who afterwards became a bishop, and was a brilliant orator 
of national reputation. 

When this decade closed, tJie entire territory within the 
chartered limits of Georgia was, for the first time, in pos- 
sessi'^n of the State. 



The towns settled in this decade were Americus, Cuth- 
bert, Marietta, Rome. 

T.S 



CHAPTER XXV. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 
1840—1850. 

Georgia had just begun to recover from the trouble and 
feKcitement of removing the Indians from her territory 
when financial distress, like a dark shadow, spread its pall 
over the State. The treasury was nearly empty, and there 
were no funds to complete the great work which the State 
had undertaken in building the AVestern and Atlantic rail- 
road. A young legislator had made his maiden speech be- 
fore the House on the bill to commence this important road. 
The members and the visitors in the gallery were alike at- 
tracted by the clear, shrill, and wonderfully penetratmg 
voice- having arrested their attention, he held it to the end, 
and sat down amidst a burst of applause. He had ''the thm 
attenuated form of a mere boy, with a black, gleaming eye 
and a cadaverous face." It was Alexander Hamilton 
Stephens. From that hour his career was watched with m- 

All classes suffered from the depression in money mat- 
ters The price of cotton fell very loW, while many of t.ie 
articles absolutely necessary to the planter increased m 

""""oiir Governor, Charles McDonald, was confronted with 
the responsibilitv of restoring the State to a healthy finan- 
cial condition, and performed this arduous task with ability. 

224 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

The old party lines that had been the occasion of so 
much hard feeling had now entirely disappeared, and the 
people were divided between the Democrats and the 
Whigs. There was often much partisan excitement during 
elections, but the intense bitterness of former days was not 
revived. 

At this time, when many important and delicate politi- 
cal questions were being agitated in the councils of the 
nation. Judge John M. Berrien, a Whig, was one of the 
United States senators from Georgia. He took a promi- 
nent part in the debates, adding greatly to the fame which 
he had already acquired. In spite of this, he was cen- 
sured by the Legislature, which was Democratic, and it 
was virtually declared that he did not represent the senti- 
ments of the people of Georgia. The next year the Legis- 
lature, which was Whig, sustained and complimented him. 

In the second year of this decade, one of Georgia's 
gifted sons. Dr. Crawford W. Long, discovered that the 
inhalation of the vapor of ether would produce insensi- 
bility to pain. When he told his friends of his wonderful 
discovery not one of them encouraged him, fearing that, 
if he put it to a practical test the patient would never re- 
cover consciousness and the doctor would be mobbed. 
With the fearlessness of conviction, the first time he had 
a patient requiring the surgeon's knife he successfully 
tested the anaesthetic power of ether in the presence of 
several persons. This happened in the town of Jefferson,; 
and he then made kaown his discovery to the profession. 
No pen can portray the amount of pain from which suf- 
fering humanity has thus escaped. There were three- 

f?15 225 



GEOKGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

claimants for the honor that belonged to Dr. Long; but, 
after many years his right was recognized. His portrait 
hangs in the Hall of Kepresentatives at the capital of his na- 
tive State. 

Business was still languishing when George W. (Jraw- 
ford became Governor. He maiiaged the State's finances 
so w^ell that vitality was soon infused into all public enter- 
prises, and confidence re-established. It was during Craw- 
ford's second term tliat the first Supreme Court in Georgia 
was organized. 

Joseph Henry Lumpkin, of Oglethorpe county, was our 
first Chief Justice. The associate Justices were Eugenius 
Xesbet and Hiram "Warner. Up to this time •there Avas 
no appeal from the decisions of the circuit judges. Their 
power was absolute and dangerous, but very rarely abused. 

Judge Lumpkin had not lingered for years a briefless 
lawyer, as many great men have done, but sprang, almost at 
one bound, to the front rank of his profession. He was a 
favorite with all his acquaintances, and his talent and in- 
tegrity were conspicuous even in boyhood. He was the 
model that mothers held up to their sons. Scarcely a boy 
in his circle of friends was ever scolded for a piece of mis- 
chief, whose mother did not reproachfully end her reproof 
by saying: "Why can't you be like Joe Lumpkin ?" Such 
was the strong sense and good heart of young Lumpkin 
that all this partiality did not spoil him, but only served 
to inspire a lofty ambition. 

At this time, the State was teeming with young men of 
talent; there was scarcely a county without one or more of 
great promise, and success in public life could only be at- 
tained by eminent ability. To reach the Legislature was 

226 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

the first step towards fame, and political prominence was 
the goal of every ambitious young man. 

Lumpkin was only twenty-five years of age when his 
county, by an almost unanimous vote, sent him to the 
Legislature. He had already won enviable fame as an 
orator, but his friends feared that he would not be able to 
sustain his reputation where learning and eloquence were 
the rule, not the exception. He had to compete "with many 
3'oung men from different parts of the State, who, like him- 
self, were known to have a high order of talent; among 
these were Charles Dougherty, William Law, and Hopkins 
Holsey. 

Young Lumpkin's first speech on the floor of the House 
was one of thrilling eloquence, and before its conclusion 
the Senate chamber was deserted that its members might 
listen to him. He had a great fondness for the classics, 
and his use of Latin quotations was very happy. He 
served a few terms in the Legislature, and then retired 
from public life, devoting himself to his profession. After 
he was elected Chief Justice, he held the office until the 
day of his death. 

While the party war between the Crawford and Clarke 
factions was raging with greatest violence, Lumpkin was 
practicing law in Lexington. In the Troup and Clarke 
canvass two men, who had been near neighbors and warm 
friends from their boyhood, fell out about politics. The 
one who lived in Oglethorpe county was in favor of Troup 
for governor, and the other, who lived just over the line in 
Greene county, Avas for Clarke. From abusing each 
other's candidate they fell to personal abuse, became 
bitter enemies, and each annoyed the other in every way 

227 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

possible. Fina]lj, one accused the other of owing him 
twenty dollars, which w^as vehemently denied, and the dis- 
pute over this point culminated in a lawsuit. The Ogle- 
thorpe county man engaged Lumpkin for his counsel, and 
the Greene county man employed William C. Dawson. 

When the case came up for trial, but before the court 
opened, the two lawyers, after conferring for a few minutes, 
called their clients to one side and urged them, in eloquent 
language, to dismiss their suit and become friends. So im- 
pressed were the two men with the force of their reasoning, 
that they cordially shook hands and became as good 
friends as ever. But the crowd that was always hanging 
around when court was in session did not take the recon- 
ciliation in good part. They said they had come there es- 
pecially to hear the speeches of Lumpkin and Dawson; 
their muttered discontent reached the quick ears of the 
former, and he said: "If a speech is all you want, I will 
make one," and he forthwith delivered the first temperance 
speech ever made in Georgia. 

At this time well-filled decanters stood upon every gen- 
tleman's sideboard, but it must not be inferred that drunk- 
enness was a universal vice, for such was not the case. 
Lumpkin was a natural orator, and thought more quickly 
when on his feet facing a multitude, than at his desk with 
pen in hand. His ornate language, with the fervor of his 
feelings, made his speeches wonderfully effective; on this 
occasion, though his theme was a novel one for that time, 
he delighted his audience. 

The associate Justice, Eugenius A. Nesbet, having 
graduated at the University with first honor, entered upon 
the practice of law in competition with such men as Early, 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Thomas W. Cobb, Shorter, Longstreet, Lamar, and Daw- 
son, and became the peer of each. 

At this period, a classical education was considered the 
best foundation for all learning, as the ancients had re- 
flected so profoundly on all subjects, and said so beauti- 
fully almost all that was worth saying. The lore of Greece 
and Eome largely gave to these illustrious Georgians their 
culture and force of language. It remains to be seen 
whether a different system will develop a Troup or a 
Stephens. 

The other associate Justice, Hiram Warner, was not a 
Georgian, but had been identified with her interests from 
his seventeenth year. He was the architect of his own 
fortune, and became a distinguished jurist, spending his 
whole life in the service of the people of Georgia. 

At this time Walter T. Colquitt, a leader of the Demo- 
cratic party, was a congressman, and subsequently became 
United States senator. He was famous, both as a lawyer 
and a judge. His knowledge of men made him unequalled 
before a jury; and as an orator he could sway an audience 
almost at will. Every emotion of his mind was expressed 
upon his face, especially in his eyes, which would soften 
or grow fierce, according to his mood. He was omnipotent 
in Georgia, and his friends were legion. He was a general 
of militia and a prominent member of the Methodist 
church, from which he held a license to preach. 

In a certain country neighborhood, an aged Methodist 
sister, listening to a group of ladies discussing the great 
men of Georgia, emphatically declared that Colquitt was 
the greatest man in the State, and continued : "Ah, you 
may talk of your great men, but none on 'em is equal to 

229 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

brother Colquitt; for, in our county, he tried a man for 
his life and sentenced him to be hung, preached a sermon, 
mustered all the men in the county, mamed two couples, 
and held a praj^er-meeting, all in one day. Now, wa'n't 
that great ?" 

While George W. Towns was governor, the AYestern 
and Atlantic railroad, including the tunnel through the 
Little Blue Ridge, was completed. The tunnel is 1,477 
feet long, 18 feet high, and 12 feet wide in the clear. It 
is cut almost entirely through solid rock. The approaches 
to it on either side are protected by massive masonry. This 
great work was directed by William L. Mitchell, of Athens, 
who was at that time topographical and civil engineer 
of the State, an office that the Legislature had created 
during Gov. Clarke's first term, to promote internal im- 
provemeiits. 

When the work was finished, ready for the passing of 
trains, there was great rejoicing, and the tunnel w^as chris- 
tened with generous old wine in the presence of many dis- 
tinguished persons. A bottle of water from the river Jor- 
dan, which a missionary to Jerusalem had presented to the 
chief engineer, was poured out by him in honor of the oc- 
casion. 4 

Two massive posts of gray granite, stand, one on each 
side of the track, where this road enters Tennessee, thus 
marking the boundary line between that State and Geor- 
gia. Cut deep into the granite, that has withstood the 
storms and sunshine of nearly fifty years, are the names of 
Gov. Towns, Col. Mitchell, and the other officials of the 
road. From the day the tunnel was opened to the present 



230 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

time, the locomotive engineer always signals the passing 
between these two posts, by giving two sharp blasts of the 
whistle. 

Because this railroad is the property of Georgia, it has al- 
ways been popularly called "the State Road." Its comple- 
tion was a momentous occasion for Georgia. It has not 
only added millions of dollars to the income of the State, 
but has built up a number of large and thriving towns on 
its line, and opened up the splendid country around At- 
lanta, whose commercial importance was thus brought to 
the front. 

At this period, Georgia, with much energy and enter- 
prise, led all parts of the United States in building rail- 
roads. 



281 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

A SOVEKETGN STATE. (Continued ) 
1840—1850. 

Ill this decade Georgia was called upon to help a sister 
State in distress. 

Mexico, never having recognized the independence of 
Texas, still claimed that territory as subject to her do- 
minion. So, when Texas was admitted into the Union, 
Mexico denied her right to independent action and pre- 
pared for war. The Federal Government called on all the 
States for volunteers to aid Texas. 

Georgia enthusiastically responded, and at once sent out 
a regiment of infantry composed of ten companies from 
different parts of the State, under the leadership of Col. 
Henry K. Jackson of Savannah. Every infantry company 
in the city volunteered, but, as only one was needed, it was 
decided by lot which should be accepted. The company 
drawn was the Jasper Greens; with one exception, it was 
the youngest military organization in Savannah. 

A company was raised in Bibb county, which joined 
the United States army of regulars and served through the 
whole war under their captain, Duncan L. Clinch, for 
whom Clinch county was named. 

In the meantime, the United States troops under Gen. 
Zachary Taylor, stationed on the Texas frontier, had al- 
ready opened the war with Mexico. 

232 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

The next year, a battalion of infantry led by Col. Isaac 
Seymour, and two battalions of mounted men, one under 
Col. Calhoun and the other imder Capt. Loyall, of i^ew- 
ton county, marched to far-away Mexico. 

Besides the troops sent by the State, many Georgians en- 
listed in the regular United States army, and assisted in 
gaining those brilliant victories which, from the banks of 
the Eio del Norte to' the pass of Angostura, and from the 
ancient city of Vera Crnz to the very Avail of the city of 
the Montezumas, broke the force of Mexican arms and de- 
prived her of all power to interfere with Texas. 

Many Georgians lost their lives in this war, among whom 
none was more lamented than Col. James S. Mcintosh, a 
veteran of the war of 1812. He had led his gallant band 
against the Mexicans in more than one well-fought strug- 
gle, before he received his death wound at the bloody bat- 
tle of Molino del Key. Gen. Taylor, who was not usually 
enthusiastic, but who was always sincere, spoke warmly of 
Mcintosh's coolness in battle, his gallantry, his high bear- 
ing, and the efficiency of his regiment. He said: "If I 
had had with me at Buena Vista Mcintosh and Riley, with 
their veterans, I would have captured or totally destroyed 
the Mexican army." 

Col. Mcintosh was brought home -for burial, and the 
citizens of Savannah forsook their usual avocations to do 
honor to their dead hero. At the residence of his brother 
his body lay in state. The United States flag was thrown 
as a pall over his coffin, upon which also rested his sword 
and the bullet-pierced uniform that he had worn at his 
last battle. A grand procession escorted his body to the 
cemetery, where, with military honors, his coffin was de- 

233 



GEORGIA LAIsD AND PEOPLE, 

posited in the vault that contained the remains of his ilhis- 
trious kinsman, LachLan Mcintosh. Thus did the grave 
close over a man of whom his countrymen were proud to 
say, "he was a Georgian." 

Another distinguished Georgian, David Emanuel Twiggs, 
on two occasions, commanded the right wing of Gen. Tay- 
lor's army. He was promoted for gallantry, and Congress 
presented him with an elegant sword. 

After the Georgia troops returned home, their State de- 
lighted to honor them. The Legislature passed resolutions 
praising Col. Henry R. Jackson's regiment, saying that 
"their manly and soldierly conduct maintained and indi- 
cated the honor and valor of Georgia." 

Another Legislature thanked Gen. William H. T. 
Walker, Capt. Hardee and Lieut. William M. Gardner for 
their gallantry, and presented each of them with a sword. 
Capt. Josiah Tattnall, the son of Gov. Tattnall, of honored 
memory, serving during this war in the United States navy, 
gained for himself a wreath of imperishable fame as the 
commander of the Moscheto fleet, at the bombardment of 
Vera Cruz. He, too, was honored by his State Avith a sword. 

Thus gloriously was Georgia illustrated by her sons on 
the distant plains of Mexico. 

The year this war was ended, Jasper county was visited 
by the severest hail storm ever seen in Georgia. It en- 
tirely destroyed the crops, killed stock and cattle, and 
ruined much timber. The hailstones were as large as a 
man's fist, and some of them were carried to Monticello 
twenty-seven days after the storm. 

Atlanta had been settled at the beginning of this decade 
and called Marthasville, after the youngest daughter of 

234 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Gov. Lnnipkin; but in 1847 it was incorporated, and its 
name changed to Atlanta. The new name was suggested 
by Mr. J. Edgar Thomson, then chief engineer of the Geor- 
gia railroad, on account of the geographical position of the 
town. It is just on the dividing ridge which separates the 
waters of the Gulf of Mexico from those of the South At- 
lantic slope. Situated at such an elevation, its climate is 
comparatively mild and delightful at all seasons. The 
growth, thrift and prosperity of the city were remarkable. 
It scarcely numbered five hundred inhabitants when the 
Georgia Eailroad was finished. 

In the last year of this period, there was a snowstorm in 
the middle of April, and crops all over the State were 
damaged by the cold. In spite of many drawbacks, Geor- 
gia had made long strides towards prosperity, and was 
steadily advancing in education, agriculture and commerce. 



The towns settled in this decade were Atlanta, Griffin, 
Acworth, Cartersville, Kingston, Calhoun, Dalton, Ring- 
gold. 



2ci5 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Continued.) 

1850—1860. 

Georgia now stood forth among the sisterhood of States 
as a great and noble commonwealth. ISTature had lavishly 
endowed her with a varied and healthful climate, with 
picturesque mountains, a beautiful seacoast, and a splendid 
river as her western boundary ; with a fertile soil adapted to 
all crops except those of the extreme tropics, with consider- 
able mineral wealth, and every facility for manufacturing 
pui-poses. She enjoyed freedom of opinion and of the press; 
her judicial ermine was unsullied; her elections were hon- 
estly decided at the ballot box; her State Road, whose step 
is on the mountains, and her thousand miles of other rail- 
roads, were her Appian ways of commerce. Georgia had 
never tarnished her glory by any religious or political per- 
secutions. Free from any union of Church and State, the 
Cross glittered in every town and hamlet vnth the splendor 
of an oriental sun. Always regarding the schoolhouse as a 
fortress of freedom, and the more stately halls of learning 
as towers of defense, Georgia had ever kept education in 
view, and now boasted of thirty-five colleges and institutes, 
with every town supporting an academy and every county 
its free school. 

236 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

By this time the press had become a power in the State. 
The daily papers of Savannah and Augusta wielded an im- 
mense influence, while every town of any size had a weekly 
paper that moulded public opinion in the surrounding coun- 
try; Macon was especially prominent in this respect. 

Early in this decade a normal school was connected 
with the Female College in Madison. It was designed by 
the trustees for the benefit of those graduates who desired 
to receive instruction in the theory and practice of teach- 
ing. No charge was made for tuition. 

Year after year larger crops had been made in Georgia. 
There had been a special increase in the quantity of cotton 
raised and exported, and this plant had proved to be the 
most wonderful talisman in the world, making mansions of 
our cottages and princes of our planters. 

At no time in her eventful history had Georgia boasted 
so many brilliant men, both in State and Federal councils; 
men who were thinkers, orators and statesmen, exercising 
a powerful influence far beyond the limits of the State 
which it was their glory and pride to illustrate. 

Howell Cobb, as Speaker of the House, presided over 
the stormy session of Congress that ushered in this decade. 
The debates, ^vhich were chiefly on the slavery question, 
were so fierce and frequent that the whole United States be- 
came excited upon this subject. Georgia leaped to the 
front as the leader of the controversy. From the time she 
assumed the proud position of a sovereign State, and then 
consented to become one of a Confederacy, she had resisted 
every aggression of the Federal Government, and she did 
not break her record in this instance. 



2^7 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

As far back as 1825 the brave-hearted and far-seeing 
Troup had sounded a note of warning upon this very sub- 
ject. After informing the Legislature in what manner the 
dignity of Georgia had been recently outraged by officious 
meddling with her domestic concerns, he predicted that it 
would not be long before the Federal Government would 
lend itself to fanatics for the destruction of everything 
valuable in the Southern country. On the subject of sla- 
very, he said: "One movement by the Congress, unresisted 
by you, and all is lost. Temporize no longer. Make known 
your resolution that this subject shall not be touched by 
them but at their peril. But for its sacred guaranty by the 
'Constitution we never would have become parties to that 
instrument. If slavery be an evil, it is our own; if it be 
a sin, we can implore the forgiveness of it. I beseech you 
most earnestly, now that it is not too late, to step forth and, 
having exhausted the argument, to stand by your arms.' 

The patriarchal character of family life in Georgia, con- 
sisting as it did of parents, children and slaves, was beauti- 
ful and elevating, and can only be fully understood by those 
who were bom to it. If slavery was a crime, then Abra- 
ham was a criminal, and so were Moses and the prophets. 

The Georgia gentlemen, as the head of a family, was 
accustomed to command and to be cheerfully obeyed. He 
felt himself responsible for the well-being of his entire 
household; this responsibility and the habit of command 
ennobled him by cultivating a kindness and tenderness to- 
wards his dependents. His slaves were generally born 
members of the household, grew up with his children, and 
there was a mutual attachment between them. It was this 
patriarchal feature of family life in Georgia, and the other 

238 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

Southern States, that developed the magnanimity, manli- 
ness, chivalry and high ambition of Southerners. 

When a gentlemen achieved renown in a profession or 
in political life, none of his family took greater pride in his 
success than his negroes, one of whom, perhaps, had cradled 
his head upon her breast in his helpless infancy, many of 
whom were his playmates when a boy, and all of whom 
loved and trusted him. 

Some men are instinctively cruel and tyrannical. Of 
course such as these w^ere hard and unjust towards their 
slaves, but a bad master was the exception and not the rule 
in Georgia. Stringent State laws protected negroes against 
such men, and public opinion, more potent than law, 
caused them to be execrated. A few natures are so base 
that they never have authority over the weak and helpless 
without abusing it. Such characters are found in all lands ; 
doubtless, every cruel master in Georgia could be matched 
by a hard, cruel father in New England. 

The ancestors of our negroes had been slaves in Africa, 
and subjected to the most capricious despotism; so, when 
they were brought here by INorthern merchants, their con- 
dition was immensely improved. They never dreamed 
that they were debased by their servitude, nor were they; 
for, being constant objects of interest and care, they were 
elevated to a higher plane in civilization than they had 
ever before occupied. jSTo peasantry in any part of the 
world were so well fed or clothed, less burdened with work 
and care, or were more joyous than our Georgia negroes 
who went singing about their work as light-hearted as chil- 
dren. It is impossible for foreigners, or even Georgia chil- 
dren of this generation, to understand the kindly relations 

239 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

which existed between Georgians and their slaves. When 
our negroes began to grow old they were addressed by all 
classes as "aunt" or "uncle," while children almost inva- 
riably called their nurses "mammy" or "maumer." No 
field hand on a plantation was ever too common or rough 
to be accosted by one of these courteous terms. 

A strong characteristic of the negro is a capacity for 
lasting attachments. The widow of a Revolutionary of- 
ficer was very fond of one of her maids named Bess, whom 
she set free by her will as a reward for faithful services. 
The widow's only child, a son, was left to the care of 
her executor, who betrayed his trust, squandered the 
greater part of her property, and took little care of the or- 
phan boy. The child was living on a plantation near 
Charleston, South Carolina, when Bess heard of his neg- 
lected condition. She went for him, carried him to Charles- 
ton, and supported him by her own labor, assisted by her 
husband, who was a fisherman. 

As, soon as possible she brought the little fellow back to 
Georgia, placed him in school, and cared for him at her ow^n 
expense. Afterwards, when he was a married man, she 
lived in his family as a voluntary servant, his comfort and 
happiness still being her chief delight. Bess lived to be 
over a hundred years old, and died early in this decade, in 
Bryan county. She was respected and honored by all who 
knew her. 

A false idea has gone abroad of Georgia women and 
their Southern sisters. They have been represented as use- 
less and idle beings, who grew up like the lilies of the field, 
"which toil not neither do they spin." It was a part of the 
systematic slander of the South. If Georgia women had 

240 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

been drones for generations, whence came the knowl- 
edge and the strong character that bore them so noblj 
through the ordeal of blood and fire that awaited them in 
the near future ? Without their helpful hands and glorious 
example, how could their husbands and sons have endured 
their sufferings ? 

At this time, the Georgia matron, who was often mis- 
tress of a large plantation, led a most beautiful and self- 
sacrificing life. "She was the commissary of an immense es- 
tablishment," superintending the making of clothes and 
giving out provisions; she ministered to the sick and com- 
forted those who were in distress. One of Georgia's talent- 
■ ed journalists has said of her: "What mystery of the gar- 
den or vineyard was not hers; what recipe for the kitchen 
or the dairy? As she walked about with her fair wrista 
bared, her smooth coils brushed back over her shapely head^ 
her face was luminous with intelligence, her body the re- 
finement of active grace, and her soft eyes full of knowl- 
edge and truth. When Sunday, like a benediction, rested 
upon the busy plantation, it was her sweet voice which read 
from the Book of Life words of consolation to the slaves 
gathered about her. Drones indeed ! The Georgia matron 
of this time will be led in the Better Land to the feet of the 
Christ to receive the reward which is given to those who 
snow mercy % one of the least of these.' " 

"Straws show which way the wind blows," and trivial 
incidents show the fanaticism or broad-mindedness and 
chivalry of a people. During the excitement over the 
slavery question, which every year grew more intense, a 
Georgian was travelling in the Catskill Mountains in a 
Btage-coach, most of the passengers being ladies. When 

16g 241 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

the coach reached its destination the Georgian was assist- 
ing thein to alight when one of them, hesitating to accept 
his aid, said : "I know you are a Southerner by your speech, 
and I do not suppose you will assist me when I tell you that 
I am an abolitionist." Courteously extending his hand to 
help her, he replied: ^'Madam, your being an abolitionist 
does not prevent me from being a gentleman." 

During the slavery discussions in Congress, Georgia held 
a Convention to consider the aggressions of the Federal 
Government, to define her position, and to decide what her 
duty was under the circumstances. The celebrated report 
adopted by the Convention was called "The Georgia Plat- 
form." Its author was Charles J. Jenkins, who had been a 
member of the Legislature continuously for fourteen years, 
and who ranked among the ablest and most eloquent mem- 
bers of the House. He was the peer of Joseph Henry 
Lumpkin and Walter Colquitt. His sense of honor was so 
keen and his love of truth and justice so great that no com- 
bination of circumstances was strong enough to tempt him 
from the path of duty. All men respect the right, but not 
all of them have the moral courage to follow the right when 
it is unpopular; Charles J. Jenkins had this, and it con- 
.stituted the stron2:est trait in his noble character. 



242 



CHAPTER XXVIir. 

A SOVEREIGN STATE. (Concluded.) 
1850—1860. 

By the second year of this decade the finances of Geor- 
gia were again in a prosperous condition, and Howell Cobb, 
in the zenith of his fame, was the governor. He had been 
elected to Congress when less than thirty years of age, and 
it was his first service in any legislative body. For many 
years he guarded the interests of our State in the national 
councils and, always wise and conservative, delivered able 
speeches upon the leading questions. 

In the midst of her prosperity Georgia had never for- 
gotten the afflicted of her population, and at different times 
the Legislature had. appropriated money to establish benev- 
olent institutions. At Cave Spring was established a State 
asylum for the deaf and dumb, where even the poorest 
could find instruction; and near Milledgeville was located 
an asylum for the insane, one of the best appointed insti- 
tutions in America. ]^ow, during Cobb's administration, 
the Georgia asylum for the blind was established at Ma- 
con. 

It had long been the custom in our State for the Gov- 
ernor to begin his term of office with a reception, which was 
called the "Governor's levee." Wo invitations were issued 
— any one who chose to come was welcome. Social distinc- 
tions were obliterated for that evening, and the company 

243 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

mingled together in democratic equality. A grand supper 
was provided at great cost, and many people flocked to the 
Executive Mansion. These occasions Were a continued de- 
light to the young people who went to Milledgeville for the 
inauguration. 

Cobb's successor was Herschel V. Johnson. As a young 
lawyer of great promise, he could not long resist the allure- 
ments of j)olitical life, and he did good service for the demo- 
cratic party, tlirough the press and on the stump. The gal- 
lant Thomas Glascock, who was then a congressman, had 
often witnessed his exploits as a stump-speaker, and said 
he was ''a youthful giant who fought with burnished armor 
and was able to compete with the most stalwart of his foes." 
While Johnson was a United States senator, he attracted 
the attention of the great Calhoun, who several times de- 
clared that he considered him the ablest man of his age in 
the Senate. When he became our governor, he was so im- 
pressed with the importance of education for the masses 
that he thought the matter worthy the fostering care of the 
State, and spoke thus on the subject in his inaugural ad- 
dress: "The cause of public education is emphatically the 
cause of our State. It addresses itself to every noble feel- 
ing of our hearts. If, as patriots, we desire the perpetuity 
of our free institutions; if, as philanthropists, we would glad- 
den the children of poverty with the sunbeams of science, 
elevate them to useful citizenship, and press to their lips 
the cup of intellectual happiness, it pleads with an urgency 
and pathos that should awaken every generous impulse." 

Gov. Johnson's wife, who was a niece of President Polk, 
made the Executive J\[ansion famous for elegant hospi- 
tality while she presided over it. She was a model house- 

24+ 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

keeper and brilliant conversationalist. Her manners were 
graceful, she talked equally well of politics, science or liter- 
ature, and was the center of a brilliant circle. 

Among the Georgia delegation to Congress during this 
decade were Alexander H. Stephens and Kobert Toombs, 
who were destined to win a world-wide fame, Alfred Iver- 
son, who was thanked by the Legislature for his services, 
and William C. Dawson, the distinguished jurist. 

Perhaps at no period of the State's history was there such 
a distinguished array of Judges of the Superior Courts as 
during the close of the last and the beginning of this dec- 
ade. Each judge was a man of note, but eminent among 
them was Henry R. Jackson, who had led a regiment in 
the Mexican war: one of Georgia's most gifted sons, he 
was not only a fine orator and lawyer, but in his busy pub- 
lic life always found time to cultivate literature, for which 
he had a natural fondness. 

When the time came to elect another Governor, there 
were five candidates before the Democratic convention, all 
of them prominent men who deserved well of their State. 
After three days of balloting, Joseph E. Brown was chosen, 
though he was not a candidate. At the very hour when he 
received this high honor he was tying wheat at his moun- 
tain home. He had gone to the field to see how the work 
was progressing, and, noticing that the binders were very 
umch behind, and that they could not keep up with the 
four men who were cutting the wheat, he pulled off his 
coat and assisted them. He had been a member of the 
Legislature, and was at this time. Judge of the Blue Kidge 
Circuit; but he was unknown to the State, and when his 
nomination was announced the first question asked by many 
was: "Who is Joe Brown?" 

245 



GEOEGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

His opponent in the race for governor was Benjamin H. 
Hill, whose matchless eloquence and political acumen had 
already made him famous. This would have given him a 
tremendous advantage at the start had he not belonged to 
the Whigs — a party that was unpopular in Georgia; so, 
Joseph E. Brown, the Democrat, was elected by a large 
majority. 

During his first term he bad to fight the Legislature, 

the Banks, and the Press ; but so well did he please the peo- 
ple that he was elected for a second term by an increased 
majority. 

About this time John E. Ward, a Georgian, was United 
States minister to China. He was a Liberty county man, 
but had long been identified with Savannah. He was a 
man of large culture, had been a prominent member of the 
Legislature, and also President of the Senate. 

Thomas P. P. Cobb, of Athens, was now one of the 
leading lawyers of the State, and a man of elegant culture. 
He possessed a magnetism that drew all hearts to him, and 
was the special friend of every child. He interested him- 
self to have built in his town an advanced school for girls, 
that they might without leaving home be well educated. 
Through his influence the citizens of Athens erected a 
large and beautiful building, which was to be called "The 
Athens Eemale College." When it was about ready to 
open its doors, Mr. Cobb lost his eldest daughter, a child 
of thirteen summers. As a compliment to him whose zeal 
had insured the successful accomplishment of the enter- 
prise, and whose contribution had been very large, the 
name of the school was changed to Lucy Cobb Institute. 
From the beginning it has been a school of high grade, and 

well deserves the popularity it enjoys. 

246 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

It was in the last year of this decade that there happened 
in China an event which was of peculiar interest to a Geor- 
gia family whom the State has delighted to honor. Cer- 
tain English and French envoys, during their troubles with 
China, being kept waiting by the authorities at Canton, 
grew weary of the delay and attempted to remove the bar- 
riers which kept back their ships. This drew upon them 
the fire of the Peiho Forts. The Chinese aimed with such 
accuracy that four gunboats were very soon disabled, and 
the others were aground. I^early fifteen hundred English 
and French were either killed or wounded. 

A Captain in the United States navy, whose ship was 
near the scene of action, "with magnanimous indiscretion" 
disregarding the law of Nations, went to the assistance of 
the English, saying that blood was thicker than water, and 
he could not see the Chinese destroying them without lend- 
ing a helping hand. This generous Captain was Josiah 
Tattnall, one of Georgia's heroes in the Mexican war. 

Stump-speaking was one of the time-honored customs of 
Georgia; this, and the habit of attending their County 
Court, had given the masses a thorough knowledge of po- 
litical history. They were well informed of the nature of 
the Federal Union^ and of the exact position that Georgia 
occupied therein, by men of superior ability, who had made 
government a scientific study. There was perfect political 
equality between all citizens, and they freely expressed 
their opinions. They all took part in the exciting scenes 
of the hustings; and, as the plain old farmers sat around 
their firesides, they told their children and their grand- 
children of the great speakers to whom they had listened 
and with whom they had talked. These farmers inherited 

. 247 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

the habit of an open and unrestrained expression of their 
feelings, and they were proud of every Georgian who rose 
to honor in the State or in the nation. Such customs gen- 
erated a healthy public sentiment, and Georgia's greatness 
at this time was due as much to her sturdy yeomanry as to 
her noble and brilliant public men. 

The citizens constitute the State; in Georgia they knew 
their rights, and, knowing them, dared maintain them. 
.They were public spirited, hospitable, and proud of their 
ancestry. With such a population, it was no wonder that 
Georgia grew and flourished, and occupied an honorable 
and enviable position among the States, though she was the 
youngest of the thirteen, and had suffered much by the 
Federal Government failing to keep faith with her and re- 
move the Indians from her territory at the proper time. 

Georgia had given to the nation two Secretaries of the 
Treasury, AVilliam H. Crawford, and Howell Cobb — who 
was serving at this time. W. H. Sparks, himself a noble 
Georgian, thus writes of them: "Cobb was born within a 
few miles of Crawford's grave. They were both adminis- 
tering the office at a time in the history of the nation when 
she was surrounded with perils. The one, Crawford, when 
she was just coming out of a war with the most powerful 
nation on earth; the other, Cobb, when she was just going 
into a war, civil and gigantic. Both were offered every op- 
portunity for dishonest peculation, and bbth came out, de- 
spite the allurements of temptation, with clean hands and 
untainted reputations. They were reared and lived in an 
atmosphere of honesty; they sought their inspiration from 
the hills and vales, blue skies, and clear, pure waters of 
middle Georgia. The surroundings of nature were pure; 

248 



A SOVEREIGN STATE. 

the hor^est farmer and mechanic, the professional men and 
merchants were and are pure. It was the home of Upson, 
Gilmer, Thomas W. Cobb, Peter Early, Eli S. Shorter, 
Stephen W. Harris, William C. Dawson, and Joseph Henry- 
Lumpkin ; and is now the home of Alexander H. Stephens, 
Benjamin H. Hill, Kobert Toombs, Bishop Pierce, and his 
great and glorious father. In their integrity and lofty man- 
hood, they imitate the mighty dead who sleep around 
them." 



The towns settled in this decade were Cusseta, Morgan- 
ton, Nashville, Colquitt, Morgan, Hiawassee, Dawsonville, 
Camilla, Cleveland, Homer, Quitman, Jonesboro, Butler. 



249 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 
18G0. 

A black stomi-cloiid, the shadow of an approachmg ca- 
lamity was slowly gathering upon the horizon to eclipse 
the golden sunshine of prosperity and happiness which had 
for many years been diffused over Georgia. 

The endless controversy over the slavery question had 
wearied the patience of our State. The Black Eepublican 
Party was the strong political party in the ISTorthern and 
Western States. They cared nothing for the restraints 
which, under the Constitution, bound them to respect the 
rights of the South. They acted as if they did not wish to 
preserve the bond which held together the sisterhood of 
States. One of their prominent leaders openly declared that 
the Constitution of the United States was "a covenant with 
death and an agreement with hell." 

Truly it seems a little strange that slavery had no moral 
aspect to the JSTorthern mind while negroes were owned in 
iSTew England; but, when the South grew rich and power- 
ful by their labor, it was suddenly found that slavery was 
a great crime. 

When Christ was denouncing the sins of the age in which 
He preached, slavery was all about Him; yet He never once 
pronounced it sinful. On the contrary, He commended a 

250 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

slave-holding Roman, saying, "I have not found so great 
faith, no, not in Israel." 

Paul, the greatest of the xipostles, in his epistles, fre- 
quentlv alludes to slavery, but nowhere does he say it was 
wicked; and when he was under no obligation to do so, he 
sent a runaway slave back to his master. 

An odd fact in connection with the attitude of the iSTorth 
towards slavery was, that Northern men who emigrated to 
Georgia almost invariably bought negroes. For many 
years the North had insisted on taking care of the con- 
science of Georgia and the rest of the South. This was 
very properly resented and resisted, until suspicion and 
dislike were engendered. Difference of race had doubt- 
less something to do with the aversion between the two 
great sections of the country. The South was mostly 
peopled by descendants of the gentry of Great Britain ; the 
North by cold, calculating Puritans. It is not by any 
means astonishing that two sections, with such different 
ideas of government and religion, of life and duty, should 
find it difficult to live harmoniously under the same Con- 
stitution. A hatred of persecution and tyranny, whether 
of a king or of a powerful majority, was the birthright that 
Georgians had inherited from their ancestors. 

The avowed determination of the Black Republican 
Party to abolish slavery in the South without the consent 
of her people, kept Georgians in a restless political condi- 
tion. Unfortunately, the South could not agree upon the 
best method of resisting the aggressions of the North, so 
there was division in the Democratic party. Georgia had 
two electoral tickets in the field, on one of which her dis- 
tinguished son, Herschel V. Johnson, was candidate for 

Vice-President. 

251 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Otii" State had always been rich in great men and elo- 
quent speakers, but there was never a time when she could 
show such a superb galaxy of greatness as now. There 
were Johnson, Toombs and the Cobbs; there were Henry 
R. Jackson, Alexander H. Stephens and his gifted brother, 
Linton Stephens; there were Benjamin Hill, Alfred H. 
Colquitt, Eugenius I^esbet, and others not so famous, but 
equally as ardent in their devotion to Georgia. They 
threw themselves with fervor into the grave questions of 
state that were agitating the people. Many were invited 
to speak on "the state of the country" at different towns, 
and splendid oratory was the order of the day. Excitement 
ran high, and all through this summer, men's minds wer» 
filled with a vague uneasiness. 

Macon originated a club, regardless of parties, called 
"Minute Men," whose j^urpose it w^as to sustain Southern 
rights. Soon, similar organizations were established all 
over the State, firing the military spirit of the young men. 
Some of these clubs had singular names, such as "Choc- 
taws," "Rattlesnakes" and "Eegulatoi^." Their calls for 
meetings, published in the newspapers, were signed "Lib- 
erty," "Southern," "'76," and the like. They were the 
outgrowth of tlie excitement of the hour, and the next 
year, when our young men were crowding into regiments 
to march to "the front," nothing more was heard of them. 

This was the year to elect a President, and the Black 
Republican candidate was Abraham Lincoln. In view of 
the excited condition of the country, it was the most serious 
election that hpd taken place since the Federal Government 
Avas formed. The whole South was holding its breath, 
anxiously awaiting the result. 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

When Lincoln Avas elected there was intense excitement 
throughout the Southern country, and several States called 
Conventions to take action as to their future safety. Lin- 
coln did not receive a single vote in Georgia or the South. 
Our State considered his election as an expression of the 
settled pui-pose of the North, under control of the Abo- 
litionists, to continue their breach of faith with the South 
and to centralize the government of the United States. 
The indignation of our State was aroused to such a pitch 
that, in IsTovembor, after the election, when a citizen of 
Clarke county gave utterance to some abolition sentiments 
he was arrested and brought to trial before the Mayor in 
Athens. He declared that he did not intend any mischief, 
and thought it no harm to say what he did; so he was re- 
leased upon a promise to thereafter hold his tongue. 

In spite of many hindrances to advancement, when the 
Legislature met as usual in the fall, the Governor's mes- 
sage showed a strikingly prosperous condition of the State. 
There had been a gain in taxable property of something 
more than sixty million dollars over the previous year. 

The relation of Georgia to the Federal Government at 
this time was made the subject of a special message by Gov. 
Brown, which ended with a recommendation that a million 
dollars be appropriated for a military fund, so that our 
State could be ready for an armed resistance to any further 
aggressions. 

When Lincoln's election became generally known, county 
meetings were held in every part of the State, and the 
Legislature was deluged with resolutions insisting upon 
immediate action in the matter. 



253 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Georgia's oldest city, noble Savannah, led off in this de- 
mand, declaring that she would not submit to Lincoln's 
election, and asking that measures be taken to organize 
and arm the militia. 

At the Richmond county meeting, in Augusta, after the 
chairman had stated their object in assembling, he said it 
had been made known to him that there was waving over 
them a white flag, upon the cupola of the temple of Jus- 
tice where they were seated, upon which was a lone star 
with this inscription: "Georgia: Equality in, or Independ- 
ence out of the Union." 

This announcement was received with long-continued ap- 
plause, and it was then unanimously resolved that the 
"meeting adopt the flag and its position as their act, evinc- 
ive of their determination in the present crisis." 

There was much difference of opinion in Georgia as to 
the best mode of resisting the tyranny of which she com- 
plained, but all Georgians were a unit in the feeling that 
they could not tamely submit to injustice, and that it must 
be resisted. 

When the rights of Georgia were threatened. Parties 
we're lost sight of; her citizens were adversaries sometimes, 
but Georgians always. 

The Legislature called a (Convention of the people to meet 
on the 16th of the following January, to decide what was 
best to be done in the present crisis; they also made a call 
for troops, and ordered arms to be purchased. 

In December, when South Carolina withdrew from the 
Federal Union, torchlight processions, and the firing of 
guns expressed to her the sympathy and approval of Geor- 



gia. 



^3i 



254 



CHAPTER XXX. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1861. 

AVhile waiting for the called Convention of the people, 
the burning questions of the day were thoroughly discussed 
by the Press and by our public men in their speeches. Se- 
cession was the theme of conversation in every city, town, 
and village in Georgia. 

In the United States Senate the lordly Toombs made a 
speech upon the position and rights of the South that de- 
serves to be perpetuated in history with the famous oration 
of Pericles in explanation of the causes of the Pelopon- 
nesian war. 

Gov. Brown, being a far-sighted man, resolved at once 
to take possession of our forts and the arsenal, before the 
federal Government could prevent (^eorgia from controll- 
ing her o^vn. 

Fort Pulaski, at the mouth of the Savannah river, was 
the most important fortification on our coast. It was 
named in honor of the distinguislied Polish general of 
Revolutionary fame. It effectually guarded the main en- 
trance to the river, as all vessels of any size had to pass 
under its guns. It is situated on Cockspur Island, which 
is separated from Tybee Island by a narrow curve of the 

255 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

sea. The walls of the Fort are exceedingly solid, well 
built of hard gray brick, and are about six feet in thick- 
ness. 

Fort Pulaski was in charge of two men whose duty it 
was to take care of the property and keep the weeds out 
of the grass. The Governor ordered Alexander R. Lawton, 
Colonel of the first regiment of Georgia Volunteers, to take 
possession of it and hold it, as tlie Federal Government had 
a movement on foot to occupy all southern forts; if they 
should seize Foyt Pulaski he knew that it would give them, 
in any contest of arms, a great advantage over the people 
of Georgia. Col. Law^ton's orders were to hold the Fort 
until it was decided by the Convention what course the 
State "^ould pursue. 

This action created great joy and enthusiasm in Savan- 
nah, and there was much generous rivalry among the vol- 
unteer companies of the city to assist in this duty. Fifty 
men w^ere taken from each infantry company, and thirty- 
four from the artillery, making a force of one hundred 
and thirty-four men who were detailed for this first mili- 
tary expedition. 

The seizure of the Fort was ordered for the morning of 
the 3d of January, and though there was but a short time 
betAveen the issuing of the order and the hour for its exe- 
cution, great preparations had been made for the comfort 
of the soldiers, by their mothers, wives and sisters. Every 
man had his cot, camp-chair, trunk and valise; every mess 
had a chest and cooking utensils; in short, every home com- 
fort that they could be persuaded to carry, was pressed upon 
them. So, when they embarked on the little steamer 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

"Ida," the pile of luggage was simply immense. The 
wharves were crowded with people who had come to see 
them off and wish them "Godspeed," and the Ida steamed 
away with colors flying, bands playing, and the cheers of 
the city ringing upon the air. 

The Fort contained only twenty guns, with but little 
ammunition, and was out of repair. The Georgia soldiers 
soon had it in a thorough state of defense. The guns were 
properly mounted, plenty of ammunition supplied, and the 
troops put in training by daily drills. 

Gov. Brown telegraphed his action to the Governors of 
the other Southern States; they all applauded his course 
and followed his example. The Georgia press approved 
his action, and the "Minute Men" of Macon passed resolu- 
tions pledging themselves to stand by him. He went to 
Savannah to see the seizure of the Fort completed, and 
when he returned to Milledgeville he was lustily cheered, 
and serenaded at the Executive Mansion. The interest of 
Savannah in Fort Pulaski did not cease with its occupancy 
by Georgia troops. The Savannah ladies made cartridge 
bags for the heavy guns, nor did they ever tire of supply- 
ing the garrison with comforts and luxuries. One of them 
sent a large iced fruit cake with the word Secession em- 
bossed upon it. 

It Avas not long after this before other Southern States, 
following gallant South Carolina, severed their connection 
with the Federal Union. Every day, almost every hour, 
brought some stirring news, until our whole State was 
almost breathless with expectancy. Secession cockades 
were worn by thousands, as emblematic of their sentiments. 
These rosettes were about the size of a silver dollar, and. 

17g 257 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE, 

were made of narrow blue ribbon with a Georgia military- 
button in the center. They were pinned on the hats or 
the coat lapels of the gentlemen. 

In this wise the 16th of January arrived, and the Seces- 
sion Convention met. The whole number of delegates was 
three hundred and one. Every county had representatives 
there — not one was missing. Most of our public men were 
members, each party and every shade of opinion sending 
its leaders. Never had a more able body of men assembled 
in Georgia. 

At this momentous crisis the eyes of all her sister States 
were turned upon Georgia and her Convention. George 
W. Crawford was chosen president. He was a popular 
leader of immense influence, was an ex-governor and ex- 
secretary of war under President Taylor. Among the 
prominent men on the Secession side were Kobert Toombs, 
Thomas E. K. Cobb, Eugenius A. Nesbet, Erancis S. Bar- 
tow and Asbury Hull. 

On the anti-secession or union side were Alexander H. 
Stephens, Benjamin H. Hill, Augustus Kenan, Herschel 
V. Johnson — a recent candidate for the vice-presidency on 
the Douglas ticket, and twice governor of the State^and 
other gentlemen of distinction. 

Howell Cobb, who had just resigned his office as Secre- 
tary of the Treasury and left AVashington City, was in- 
vited to a seat upon the floor. 

One of the first acts of the Convention was to pass a 
resolution approving the energetic and patriotic conduct of 
Gov. Brown in taking possession of Eort Pulaski. 

It was very soon known that a majority of the delegates 
were in favor of withdrawing from the Eederal Union, and 

258 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

a Committee was appointed to prepare an Ordinance of Se- 
cession. Its author was Eiigeniiis A. jSTe-^bet; Georgia had 
no son of greater ability or purer character. 

While the Committee were preparing the Ordinance, the 
argument, for and against this remedy for grave evils, was 
carried on in a masterly manner by both sides, until the 
State-house trembled with the thuiider of their eloquence. 
When the direct vote was taken only eighty-nine delegates 
voted against secession. Linton Stephens, of Hancock 
county, who was a Union man, offered resolutions to the 
effect, "that the lack of unanimity in the action of the 
Convention in passing the Ordinance of Secession indicated 
a difference of opinion among the members not so much as 
to the rights which Georgia claimed, or the wrongs of 
which she complained, as to the remedy; and, as it was de- 
sirable to give expression to that intention which really 
existed among all the members to sustain the State in the 
course of action which she had pronounced to be proper for 
the occasion, that those members who had voted against the 
Ordinance sign the same as a pledge of the unanimous 
determination of this Convention to sustain and defend the 
State in this her chosen remedy, with all its responsibilities 
and consequences, without regard to individual approval 
or disapproval of its adoption." 

So, the Ordinance was signed by all the delegates but 
six — who came from Gwinnett, Hall, Pickens and Mont- 
gomery counties. Though they did not put their names to 
the Ordinance, they entered upon the journal a statement, 
declaring it to be their purpose "to yield to the will of the 
majority of the people of the State, as expressed by their 



259 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

representatives"; and they "pledged their lives, their for- 
tunes and their sacred honor to the defense of Georgia." 

Thus, the Convention became unanimously bound to go 
with their State and abide her fortunes. In signing his 
name, each delegate was given a new pen, which he carried 
home as a sacred memento, never again to be used. 

When the Committee reported the Ordinance of Seces- 
sion, on motion of Mr. Toombs it was twice read; then the 
president, Mr. Crawford, announced that it was his pleas- 
ure and privilege to declare that the State of Georgia was 
free, sovereign and independent. As the words fell from 
his lips there was thunderous applause. Thus, Georgia re- 
sumed all her original rights at two o'clock p. m. on the 
19th day of January, 1861. She was the fifth State to 
withdraw from the Federal Union. 

At this time Milledgevilie was crowded with people, and 
a vast multitude was waiting outside the State-house for 
the news; and as soon as they learned that Georgia had 
seceded, such an exultant shout rent the air as was never 
before heard in our State. In the House, the Secession 
delegates were wild with joy; some of them were crying in 
each others arms, others were throwing up their hats and 
cheering lustily. In the midst of this great excitement the 
colonial flag of Georgia was raised. 

The glad news was promptly telegraphed all over the 
State, and illuminations, the ringing of bells, and the roar- 
ing of cannon were the order of the day. Gray-haired 
men caught the enthusiasm of impulsive youth, as the bon- 
fires blazed and the bells rang and the cannon boomed. 
Georgia's fair daughters added their enthusiasm, ministei's 
of the gospel blessed the movement, and the blue cockade 

200 



t 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

was on almost every hat. At niglit when private residences 
all over the State were illuminated, an aged gentleman in 
Augusta, whose house was ablaze with candles from garret 
to cellar, had this motto worded in flame over his gateway : 
"Georgia, right or wrong — Georgia." 

Georgia's right to withdraw from political union with 
her sister States rested upon her treaty with Great Britain 
at the close of the Revolutionary war ; in this treaty Geor- 
gia was distinctly recognized by King George III. under 
her own name as a sovereign power, and was not consid- 
ered as part of a group. (See chapter 13.) The Federal 
Government was the common agent of all the States, and 
Georgia acknowledged no superior. 

Secession was not a conspiracy of leaders, as has been 
asserted by superficial writers; on the contrary, it was a 
thorough uprising of the people. The statement so often 
repeated by our enemies, that our leaders plunged us into 
war, is false from beginning to end. The voice of Geor- 
gia demanded secession. IsTever was there a political move- 
ment more entirely dictated by the people. 

As soon as Georgia seceded, her congressmen, recogniz- 
ing that their first duty was to their State, resigned their 
positions and returned home. 

It is a cause of pride to note how true were Georgians 
to their State ! The Union men bowed to the will of the 
majority; none doubted their duty to go with their State; 
the cause of Georgia was their cause; Georgia's destiny was 
their destinv I 



261 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1861. 

When Georgia had seceded, Gov. Brown, with his usual 
promptness, hastened to take the arsenal at Augusta from 
Federal control, as Georgia had resumed exclusive sover- 
eignty over all her soil. It was in charge of Capt. Elzey, 
with eighty Federal soldiers. 

Gov. Brown went to Augusta, accompanied by Colonel 
Henry E. Jackson as his aid, through whom an order was 
sent to Capt. Elzey to withdraw his troops from the limits 
of the State at the earliest practicable moment. He was 
promised a receipt for all Federal property under his 
charge, which should be accounted for when an adjustment 
was made between Georgia and the United States. 

Capt. Elzey refused to leave the arsenal, telegraphed 
the situation to his government at Washington, and was 
instructed to hold his position until forced to surrender by 
violence or starvation, and then to stipulate for honorable 
terms and a free passage, by water, to l^ew York. 

The volunteers of Augusta were ordered out, and about 
800 reported for duty. There was great excitement over 
the fact of the Federal flag — which was now a foreign 
flag — floating over the arsenal, and it was the chief topic 

262 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 

of conversation in the city. As Gov. Brown decided to 
give Capt. Elzey twenty-four hours to reconsider his deci- 
sion, the volunteers were dismissed until the next day, when 
they were joined by many others from the countiy, who 
had heard that there was some prospect of a battle. 

Finally, when our soldiers marched out to the arsenal, 
the Governor received a message from Capt. Elzey, asking 
for an interview ; and, when he and his staif arrived, honor- 
able terms of surrender were agreed upon. The United 
States flag was to be lowered and saluted, the company to 
retain their arms and property, and to remain in their quar- 
ters until they could be sent to Xew York by way of 
Savannah. Then the flag of Georgia was raised. It was 
a pure white banner, in whose center was a large red star 
having five points. It represented the sovereignty of the 
State. As soon as this flag floated to the breeze, a cannon 
fired salutes. 

By the surrender of the arsenal, a large quantity of 
ammunition and valuable ordnance were obtained. As the 
forts in Georgia were designed for her protection against 
a foreign foe, and she had resumed her rights of separate 
independence, the Federal Government had no longer any 
concern in her fortresses or in the arms and ammunition 
stored here for her use. 

In the meantime, the' work of the Secession Convention, 
in adjusting the State to her new position, went on as 
rapidly as possible. Among other important matters, dele- 
gates were chosen to attend the Congress of the seceded 
States, which was to meet at Montgomery, Ala., in Febru- 
aij; and the Governor was authorized to raise two regi- 
ments to defend the State. The Convention then ad- 
journed to meet again in Savannah. 

263 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

About this time a Macon firm purchased 200 guns in 
]^ew York, ordering them to be shipped bj water to Savan- 
nah. After they were placed on the steamer, they were 
seized by the JSTew York police and stored in the arsenal. 
The Macon merchants complained to Gov. Brown, who, 
having satisfied himself of the justice of their claim, wrote 
the facts to the Governor of New York, demanded that the 
guns be given up, and requested a reply by telegraph. After 
waiting a reasonable time and receiving no response, he 
issued an order to Col. Jackson, at Savannah, to seize every 
ship in the harbor belonging to citizens of New York, and 
hold them until the Macon merchants received the prop- 
erty of which they had been robbed. 

There was a good deal of delay and trickery practiced in 
New York, but when it was found that Gov. Brown 
was determined to retaliate, and that he could not be over- 
■awed by the Governor of New York, the police hastily let 
go the guns. 

This episode gave Georgia's Governor a great reputation 
abroad, and proved him to be the man for the hour in 
promptness, firmness and good judgment. 

In due time the Congress of the six seceded S^tates met 
at Montgomery, Ala. Having elected Howell Cobb, of 
Georgia, their presiding officer, they formed a union under 
the name of the Confederate States of America, with Jeffer- 
son Davis, of Mississippi, as president, and Alexander H. 
Stephens, of Georgia, as vice-president. 

In order to reach Montgomery with as little delay as 
possible, Mr. Davis went from his home to Chattanooga, 
Tenn., and thence through Georgia over the Western and 
Atlantic and the West Point railroads. Crowds gathered 

264 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

at every station to do him honor. In Atlanta he was re- 
ceived by about five thousand people; and from this town 
to the Alabama line he was greeted with the same enthu- 
siasm. In one of his speeches he paid the following fine 
tribute to Georgia's promptness in resenting Federal aggres- 
sions and in protecting her citizens. He said: "Geor- 
gians — for by no higher title could I address you — your 
history, from the days of the Revolution down to the time 
that your immortal Troup maintained the rights of your 
State, and of all the States, in his contest with Federal 
usurpation, has made Georgia sacred soil. jSTor have you 
any reason to be other than proud of the events recently 
transpiring within your borders, and especially the action 
of your present Governor in wresting from the robbers of 
the North the property of your own citizens which they 
had stolen. His promptitude in demanding the property 
from the Governor of JSTew York, and in seizing the vessels 
of citizens of iSTew York when the demand was not imme- 
diately complied with, is worthy of all praise." 

Among the illustrious sons of Georgia, not one has been 
more honored by the world for his virtues, or more re- 
spected for practical wisdom, than Alexander H. Stephens, 
vice-president of the Southern Confederacy. At this 
time he stood in the front rank of living statesmen; and 
the accuracy with which he again and again foretold the 
occurrence of important events caused it to be frequently 
said that he was the wisest man living. 

Of the three commissioners nppointed by the Confederate 
Congress to treat with the Federal Government for a peace- 
ful separation of the States, one was an eminent Georgian, 
Martin J. Crawford, legislator, congressman and judge. 

2(1.') 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Sucli was the temper of the North that their efforts for 
peace were fruitless. 

About this time a new flag was hoisted over the Custom 
House at Savannah by Maj. Lachlan Mcintosh, who had 
recently resigned his position in the United States army, to 
be ready at any moment to serve his State. This flag, like 
the one that waved over the arsenal at Augusta, was white; 
but it bore the coat of arms of Georgia, encircled at the 
top with six stars; the number of the seceded States. The 
star which represented Georgia was blue, the rest were red. 
Over the whole was an eye. 

In March the Secession Convention re-assembled in 
Savannah. They adopted the Constitution of the Con- 
federate States, and a new State Constitution, and ad- 
journed after a session of two weeks. 

While these events were transpiring. Gov. Brown had 
not for a moment relaxed his vigilance. Volunteer com- 
panies were rapidly formed ; arms, ammunition and cannon 
were bought; the United States Mint at Dahlonega, with 
twenty thousand dollars in gold, was seized, and every pre- 
caution that a wise foresight could anticipate was taken 
for Georgia's safety. A division of troops was organized, 
with William H. T. AValker as major-general. Gunboats 
were purchased for the defense of the coast, and Josiah 
Tattnall, who had resigned from the United States navy, 
was put in command, w^ith the title of Commodore. 

The personal property of Commodore Tattnall was con- 
fisca.ted by the Federal Government because he refused to 
remain in their service and take up arms against his State. 
In 1782 Georgia had condemned and appropriated prop- 
erty belonging to his grandfather on account of his loyalty 

266 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

to the British Crown. After the close of the Kevolution- 
ary war it had been offered at public sale, purchased by 
friends of the Tattnall family, and restored to them. It 
is a curious fact that some of these same articles were in- 
cluded in the property of Josiah Tattnall now confiscated 
by the Federal Government. 

While the Confederate Congress was sitting in Mont- 
gomery, Capt. G. W. Lee, of Atlanta, organized "Lee's 
Volunteers," which was the first Georgia company that was 
offered to the Confederate government. The first time the 
Confederate flag was raised in our State, this company pa- 
raded under its folds through the streets of Atlanta, amidst 
the enthusiasm of the citizens. 

The first call for troops that President Davis made upon 
Georgia, was for one regiment to aid in defending Fort 
Pickens, at Pensacola, 

So high was the war fever that 250 companies volun- 
teered for this "duty. Li order to avoid jealousies and hard 
feelings among them. Gov. Brown formed the regiment of 
those who first tendered their services. 

Without any authority of law, Abraliam Lincoln, the 
Federal President, had issued a call for seventy-five thou- 
sand men to invade the seceded States. When he took the 
oath of office he had sworn to support the Constitution of 
the United States, which protected the rights of the South. 
By his action he violated his oath, and thus perjured him- 
self. The last insult the Federal Government could offer a 
sovereign State was a hostile invasion. 

Georgia's sons would have been unworthy of their sires, 
if they had consented for their State to remain a confed- 
erate with the ISJ^orthern State?, since they had formed 

2()7 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

themselves into a great sectional part}^, wliicli virtually de- 
nied that Georgians had the same rights as themselves; 
though Georgia Avas recognized as a sovereigTi power by 
the country of which she had been a colony. 

"Whether Georgia has not paid too dear a price for the 
benefits accruing from her union with the other States, let 
unprejudiced history judge ! 

Those who say Georgia waged war for slavery are very 
ignorant of the true facts. The two sections, South and 
Xorth, entertained opposing principles and had different 
ideas of the nature of the Federal Government. Slavery 
was only one subject of difference among several; slavery 
was but as the dust in the balance compared with Geor- 
gia's, rights of independence and sovereignty. Hundreds 
of her citizens owned no slaves, yet they strongly resented 
any trespass on Georgia's rights. 

A political bargain cannot be broken on one side and 
still be binding on the other, so Georgia began a second 
war for the right of self-government. She fought for the 
same principles in 1861 that she defended in 1776, when 
she refused to remain a colony of George III. upon a ques- 
tion of constitutional rights. The righteous remedy of 
secession was adopted by our State after she had endured 
a long course of treachery and oppression. 

President Lincoln determined by force of arms to com- 
pel the seceded States into a union with the other States, 
though no such power was conferred upon him by the 
Federal Constitution. 

Richmond, Va., was selected as the capital of the Con- 
federate States. Almost immediately thereafter, Georgia 
was called upon for volunteers to assist in repelling an in- 

268 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

vasion of the "mother of States and Statesmen." How 
eagerly our men responded is shown by the fact that forty 
splendid regiments had gone to the battle-field by October 
1st. Companies were raised in every connty, and 
Georgia quickly became one vast military camp. ISTewton 
county organized five companies in a few days. Augusta 
sent out nine companies, Macon and Columbus eight each, 
and Athens six. Among the many companies from Savan- 
nah was the famous Chatham Artillery, with Joseph S. 
Claghorn, captain; Charles C*. Jones, Jr., was senior first- 
lieutenant. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of 
artillery the next year, and throughout the war was distin- 
guished for his patriotism. "He did love his country's 
good with a respect more tender, more holy and profound 
than his own life." The Oglethorpe Light Infantry, of 
the same city, under Capt. Francis S. Bartow — a conspicu- 
ous member of the first Confederate Congress — ^was the 
first company in the Confederacy, that offered its services 
for the entire war. It was composed almost entirely of 
young men, the sons of some of the best families in the 
city. Beginning with the first battle of Manassas, it fought 
through the war and made a glorious record. Among the 
companies from Franklin county Avas the Tugalo Blues, 
whose motto was "Victor}'' or Death." Up in the moun- 
tains, a company in Fannin county was named "Mrs. Joe 
Brown's Boys." Mrs. Brown acknowledged the compli- 
ment by presenting each of its members with a military 
suit. 

Men whom age or infirmity kept from battle, gave freely 
of their substance, often at a sacrifice. Several newspapers 
were discontinued, because the whole force — editor, print- 
ers and devil — had gone to the war. 

2G9 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The women all over the State formed sewing societies, 
that the^ soldiers leaving home might be made as comfort- 
able as possible. Two Milledgeville ladies offered their 
silver plate to the Governor to be turned into money for 
the nse of the State, and a Columbus lady gave her dia- 
monds to the Confederacy. 

Whenever a company left for Virginia it was made an 
occasion to give it an ovation. Throngs of citizens escorted 
them to the depot, with lusty shouts and the waving of 
handkerchiefs. The women who loved them best, though 
their eyes were brimming with tears, said, "Go!" Geor- 
gia's mothers and wives, like Spartan matrons, spoke brave 
words as they girded the sword upon their loved ones, when 
none but God knew the secret pain that weighed upon their 
hearts; they were as heroic as those who shed their blood 
upon freedom's field of hoiior ! 

The first Georgia regiment organized for the whole war 
was the 6th Georgia Infantry, Volunteers, Alfred H. Col- 
quitt, colonel. 

As the busy months passed by and the year approached 
its close, Georgia and Georgia's Governor were the admira- 
tion of the South. 



270 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1861. 

The first battle of the war was fought at Manassas, Va., 
July 21st of this year. 

The Federals were so confident of victory, that tHey 
carried halters in their pockets to hang ''Southern rebels" 
as soon as they were captured; their Congress was ad- 
journed to enable such members as desired to feast their 
eyes on the rout of the Confederates. Long lines of car- 
riages, filled with women in holiday attire, followed in 
the rear of their army, with baskets of champagne and 
other good things for the feast and dance with which they 
proposed to celebrate their victory. The result did not 
justify their expectations, as they were put to a disgraceful 
flight by the Confederates, and Virginia was delivered from 
an immediate invasion. 

In Richmond, which was so near the horrors of the battle- 
field, no popular demonstrations were made over this vic- 
tory; from the solemn acts of religious thanksgiving the 
whole population turned at once to eager ministrations to 
the wounded. 

It was otherwise in Georgia, _whose people were too far 
from the scene of battle to realize its horrors. Bells were 
rung and bonfires lighted in public rejoicing all over the 
State. 

271 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The 7th, 8th, 9 th and 11th Georgia regiments of infan- 
try were engaged in this brilliant victory and won signal 
fame. 

The 11th Georgia Kegular Yokinteers, commanded by 
Col. George T. Anderson, enlisted for the whole war, and 
was among the first to leave the State for Virginia. Under 
Johnston, Lee and Longstreet, this regiment saw hard ser- 
vice in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and won im- 
mortal renown. 

After Capt. Bartow took his company to Virginia he 
was made colonel of the 8th Georgia, and in this battle 
commanded a brigade composed of the regiments mentioned 
above, with a Kentucky regiment. l^o braver troops 
fought that day than those under Col. Bartow, and the 
7th Georgia commanded by Col. Lucius Gartrell. They 
had suffered great hardships and privations in their forced 
march from Winchester to the battle-field; but notwith- 
standing their fatigue they fought all day without food and 
with very little water. 

In the midst of the battle the brave Bartow was mor- 
tally wounded. With one foot mangled by a cannon ball, 
he leaned against a fence, waving his sword and urging 
on his men.. When he felt that he must die, he said : "Boys, 
they have killed me, but never give it up !" Thus, the 
hero fell, maintaining his noble bearing to the end. When 
on the eve of leaving Georgia to join the army in Virginia, 
he had written : "I go to illustrate Georgia !" — words that 
will be handed down to posterity with his immortal name; 
for most glorious was his record on the bloody field of 
Afanassas I , , 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

There were many other noble Georgians illustrating their 
State on that battle-field, who fell as martyrs to the cause 
of constitutional liberty. The memory of these heroes is 
embalmed by a grateful State. The bravery of Col. Gar- 
trell was mentioned in Gen. Johnston's official report. So 
conspicuous had been the 8th Georgia in the brunt of the 
battle, that, as they passed from their position in front of 
Gen. Beauregard, he sat bareheaded on his horse and thus 
addressed them: "8th Georgia, I salute you with mv hat 
off!" 

J. E. Eumney, a member of the 9th Georgia, was 
severely wounded by the explosion of a shell. He was a 
veteran of the last Creek war and one of the guard of the 
steamer "Georgia," which patrolled the Chattahoochee, 
between Columbus, Ga., and Eufaula, Ala., and which was 
repeatedly fired upon by the Indians who lined the banks 
of the river. He was also at Eoanoke the day after this 
town was burned. 

The most conspicuous of Georgia's killed at the battle 
of Manassas was Gen. Francis S. Bartow. His remains 
were brought to Savannah and buried with most imposing 
ceremonies. There was a large military and civic proces- 
sion which marched through the city to the tolling of bells 
and the firing of minute-guns. An eloquent funeral ora- 
tion was delivered by the Right Rev. Bishop Elliot. 

During the battle of Manassas, Lieut Edward Hull, of 
Athens, without receiving a wound, was struck senseless by 
the concussion of a fragment of shell. As soon as he recov- 
ered sufficiently to rise to his feet, he began to carry water 
from the branch near by to the wounded lying all around 
him. With great pain he ]ierformed this labor until night- 
ixg 273 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

fall. While thus engaged a gentleman approached on 
horseback and asked him for a drink of water. 

"]S^o/' said the lieutenant, "I'm carrying this water to 
those who cannot walk. You can walk; go to the branch 
and help yourself." 

To his surprise some one said: "That is Pres. Davis." 
Then he insisted that Mr. Davis should drink the water in 
his canteen. 

A long and painful illness followed his arduous labor of 
love on that eventful day. During his convalescence he 
met the President in Richmond, who smilingly recognized 
him, and asked to what regiment he belonged. Lieut. Hull 
answered : "To the 8th Georgia." 

"To belong to that regiment is glory enough !" replied 
the President. 

The next month after Manassas, the accomplished Col. 
Mcintosh, a Georgian, was killed at the victorious battle 
of Oak Hill, Mo. There had not been a day in over a cen- 
tury that there was not a distinguished son of this family 
to bear and transmit its name to posterity. 

In October, during the campaign in West Virginia, the 
1st Georgia Eegiment, under Col. Henry R Jackson, suf- 
fered eve^ry kind of privation while among the mountains; 
yet, in the battle at Cheat Mountain Pass, where the Fed- 
erals met a disastrous repulse, they behaved mth great gal- 
lantry. 

The success of the Confederate arms in Virginia caused 
no abatement of the preparations for war in Georgia. If 
possible the activity was greater than ever. The desire 
to face the enemy was universal, and more troops were 
organized and drilled, ready for a call to the front. Capt. 

274 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Jesse Glenn, commanding the Wrightsville Infantry, wrote 
a beseeching letter to the Governor asking to be moved from 
Savannah to some place "where there is a prospect of a 
fight." 

In the midst of this fever of war the time drew near for 
electing a Governor. Joseph E. Brown, who had shown 
himself so devoted to the interests of Georgia, was compli- 
mented with a third term; his majority was 13,691 votes, 
though his opponent was the learned Judge Eugenius A. 
Nesbet. Only once before in the history of the State, had 
a Governor been honored with a third term, and that was 
Jared Irwin. When Gov. Brown was inaugurated, he 
showed his patriotism by dressing in a suit of Georgia-made 
jeans. 

Though Georgia always stood first in the hearts of her 
sons and daughters, they loved the whole Confederacy, and 
•delighted to honor its officers. A Clarksville lady sent 
Pres. Davis a blanket shawl made from wool that was 
carded, spun and woven by herself. The war had already 
developed our resources to an extent that a year before 
would have been thought impossible — "from seeming evil 
still educing good." 

When the Legislature met, the Governor concluded his 
message with these glowing and patriotic words : "I would 
■cheerfully expend in the cause the last dollar I could raise, 
and would fervently pray like Samson of old, that God 
would give me strength to lay hold upon the pillars of the 
■edifice and would enable me, while bending with its weight, 
to die a glorious death beneath the crunibling ruins of that 
temple of southern freedom which has so long attracted the 
world by the splendor of its magnificence." 

275 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

By the end of tliis year, Georgia Lad sent fifty regiments 
into Confederate service, thirty of which she had armed 
and equipped at her own expense. When the supply of 
arms ran short the Governor called upon private individ- 
uals for their shotguns and rifles, and they were not with- 
held. 

While the Legislature was in session, the Federals threat- 
ened our seacoast. The planters cheerfully sent their 
negroes to assist in the elevation of military works at vari- 
ous points; and the coast, from Savannah to the Florida 
line, was put under the command of Gen. A. E,. Lawton. 

The Federal Commodore, Dupont, had a force of forty- 
one vessels and soon captured Tybee Island, as Commodore 
Tattnall had only four small gun vessels to oppose him. 
The danger was great, as Fort Pulaski was also threatened. 
Gov. Brown, ever earnest and prompt, went to Savannah 
to confer with Gen. Eobert E. Lee, who was Confederate 
Commander of the whole Southern coast, as to what was 
best to be done in this imminent danger. So, as the year 
closed, the enemy were thundering at the eastern portals 
of our beloved State. 

Georgia now had in Confederate service the following 
brigadier-generals : Robert Toombs, who had resigned his 
position as Secretary of State in Pres. Davis' cabinet, to 
take the field; Henry R. Jackson, A. R. Lawton, A. R. 
Wright, A. H. Colquitt, W. IT. T. Walker; and two major- 
generals, David Twiggs and W. J. Hardee. 

Georgia was not fighting for power or dominion : for 
what, then, was this war waged ? Let one of Georgia's great 
statesmen, Alex. H. Stephens, answer : "It is for home, for 



276 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

fireside, for our altars, for our birtbriglits, for property, for 
lionor, for life — in a word, for everything for which free- 
men should live, and for which all deserving to be freemen 
should be willing, if need be, to die !" 



277 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1862. 

This year opened with active preparations on the part 
of the Federals against our coast, their purpose being to 
capture Fort Pulaski. 

As Gen. Henry R. Jackson was needed in Georgia, he 
was recalled from Virginia, appointed major-general of the 
State troops, and entrusted with the defense of the coast. 
With great energy and ability he planned and directed the 
preparations for training his army and defending Savan- 
nah. At this time, the Confederate forces in Georgia were 
commanded by Gen. Alexander K. Lawton. 

Col. Charles Olmstead defended Fort Pulaski with 365 
men and twenty-four ofiicers. A small fort named Jack- 
son was eleven miles distant. Each of these forts had been 
strengthened and put in as good condition as our resources 
would allow, but Commodore Tattnall's gunboats could do 
but little against the Federal fleet. Our coast was swarm- 
ing with the enemy's vessels, which had taken possession 
of the principal islands and occupied Brunswick and St. 
Mary's. They also forced their way up the Savannah river 
and stationed troops on Tybee and Warsaw, which caused 
our troops to abandon Skidaway and Green Islands. By 
removing obstructions in the artificial channel called 

278 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

"Wall's Cut,'' the Federal gunboats entered in the rear of 
the frowning battlements of Fort Pulaski, and, by thus 
isolating it, completely cut off all communication with the 
city. During the siege of Savannah in 17Y9 the patriots 
had failed to guard Avail's Cut, and the British vessels 
passed through it above Count D'Estaing's squadron. 
Thus strangely did history repeat itself. 

The gallant Tattnall made his way through the Federal 
gunboat:? and carried six months' provisions to the garrison 
at the Fort, ^^•hicll was now in a state of siege. After the 
siege had lasted for a number of weeks, early one April 
morning, Gen, Hunter, the Federal commander, demanded 
its surrender. C,ol. Olmstead replied : "I am here to de- 
fend the Fort, not to surrender it." AVhereupon the bom- 
bardment directly began, and the firing soon became gen- 
eral on both sides. The Federal batteries being established 
on Tybee Island, their fire was directed chiefly against the 
southeast angle of the Fort, whose guns were soon disman- 
tled. After two days' bombardment a large breach was 
made, through which the shot and shell penetrated to the 
magazine, and the fort could no longer be defended. As 
retreat was impossible, our troops surrendered on condition 
that they should receive honorable terms. 

This disaster was brightened by the personal heroism of 
Lieut. Christopher Hussey of the "Montgomery Guards," 
and of private John Latham of the "Washington Volun- 
teers." During the second day's bombardment the flag 
was shot down, when these two Georgians leaped upon the 
parapet under the storm of shot and shell, coolly disen- 
tangled the fallen flag, carried it to the northeast angle of 
the Fort, fixed it to a temporar}^ staff and erected it on a 
gun-carriage, where it again floated proudly to the breeze. 

i79 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

By the fall of Fort Pulaski, our whole coast was in a 
state of blockade, and Georgia was cut off from communica- 
tion with foreign countries, while Federal cruisers freely 
passed in and out of the inlets and rivers that emptied into 
Warsaw and Ossabaw sounds. The Savannah river, too, was 
in their possession up to a point a little below Fort Ogle- 
thorpe. It was expected that the enemy would at once 
attack Fort Jackson, but they were in no condition to do 
so, and had to content themselves with holding Fort Pu- 
laski. The loss of our strongest fortification, far from dis- 
couraging our people, increased their patriotism and fired 
the war spirit anew. Savannah very soon became accus- 
tomed to the proximity of the enemy, and heard with indif- 
ference their cannonading. 

Now, again, Georgia was called upon for troops for Con- 
federate service, and quickly furnished the twelve regi- 
ments which were requested. 

It was during this spring that the Confederate Congress 
passed the Conscript Act, which caused a spirited corre- 
spondence between our Governor and Pres. Davis. While 
the war between the States continuecl, there was at no time 
any necessity in Georgia for conscription. When a call 
was made for troops it was promptly answered; and more 
could have been sent than were asked for — sometimes 
double the number. 

Never before had the world seen such material as com- 
posed the rank and file of the Confederate army. Never 
had a body of men made greater sacrifices or been animated 
by higher motives. They hesitated at no hardship. Gen- 
tlemen dressed in such clothing and ate such food as tramps 



280 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

would scorn. They often slept upon the bare earth, expos- 
ing themselves to winter snows and summer suns, and all 
this for pure love of liberty. The officers honored them- 
selves in honoring the noble men in the ranks, who were 
often their social superiors. 

In Georgia, and throughout the South, the men who 
fought in the Federal army were called Yankees, whether 
they were from the North or West, or were foreign merce- 
naries. They called us Rebels. Whether the Georgians, 
who fought in this war, were "rebels" depends entirely upon 
whether the United States was or was not a Federal Re- 
public. It is very important that words should correctly 
express facts. There is no opprobrium in the word rebel, 
since rebellion against tyranny is an inherent right that 
belongs to every man. Our forefathers were rebels against 
King George, and we glory in their position. 

To argue that Georgia belonged to her sister States is 
preposterous ! Rebellion is the act of subjects, not of sov- 
ereigns; so, it was impossible for the sovereign State of 
Georgia to be in rebellion ! 

O youth of Georgia ! your fathers cherished the institu- 
tions of their beloved State, kept unstained her character 
and her plighted faith, and, when the time came, they were 
not afraid to die for her, rejoicing to defend her rights and 
protect her homes. Now, it remains for you, taking for 
your watchword the motto emblazoned on Georgia's coat- 
of-arms — Wisdom, Justice, Moderation — to watch and 
guard her only crown jewel, Constitutional Liberty ; and 
may 1he history of future ages tell how well you kept the 
trust ! 



281 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE 

In April a party of twenty-two Federals, disguised a& 
civilians, came to Georgia as spies and for the purpose of 
burning the thirteen bridges on our State Road, and other- 
wise damaging it as much as possible. Their leader was a 
tall, black-bearded man named Andrews. If his scheme 
was successful he was to be paid sixty thousand dollars in 
gold. 

He and his party boarded the train at Marietta. When 
they reached Big Shanty, while every one Avas at the break- 
fast table, they uncoupled the engine and three cars from 
the passenger-train and started for Chattanooga. 

The engineer, conductor, and superintendent of the Road 
shops, seeing what had been done, lost no time in conjec- 
tures, but dashed after them on foot until they reached a 
hand-car, when they were joined by several other men. 
Then the pursuit was more rapidly continued, until they 
were delayed by the track being blocked with forty or fifty 
cross-ties; they saw, too, that the telegraph wires were torn 
down for a quarter of a mile. After a little they procured 
another hand-car and were joined by ten men, when they 
pressed onward with redoubled energy. Xear Etowah they 
were thrown into a ditch by the track being torn up at a 
short curve ; but they had the good fortune to get an engine 
and a coal car, and the race became more exciting. 

The bridge-burners, as they dashed ahead, told the 
switchmen that they were carrying ammunition to Gen. 
Beauregard; and whenever they dared they stopped to tear 
up the track. 

At Kingston our men procured the Rome engine and 
hurried forward, only twenty-five minutes behind the spies. 



282 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Again they encoimtered a torn-up track, when the con- 
dnctor and superintendent proceeded on foot, nntil they 
reached the down train at Adairsville and appropriated the 
engine to continue the pnrsiiit. They renewed the race 
with all possible speed, and though stopped several times 
by obstructions, they at last came in sight of the flying 
Yankees, who detached one of their cars to block the way. 
It was removed, and the Georgians were still gaining upon 
them, when they were forced to leave another car behind. 
Their third one was loaded with cross-ties, with which they 
continually obstructed the track. Our indomitable men 
cleared the way and dashed after them. 

A great danger at last confronted the spies; their steam 
was giving out, and still the Georgians were in hot pursuit. 
Everything that would burn was piled upon the diminish- 
ing fire, but by the time they reached Ringgold the steam 
was nearly exhausted. A few miles further on they re- 
versed the engine to collide with the one that was chasing 
them, and took to the woods. At Catoosa mounted men 
followed them, and the entire band was captured. An- 
drews offered ten thousand dollars for his release. He and 
seven others were tried in Atlanta by court-martial, found 
guilty^ and hung as spies. The other fourteen, who had 
been detailed from an Ohio regiment for bridge-burning, 
were considered prisoners of war and afterwards regularly 
exchanged. 

The capture of these Yankees was mainly due to William 
Fuller, who held no position but that of a railroad com 
ductor, and it was one of the most wonderful achievements 
in the annals of this war. 



283 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The name of the stolen engine was General; it pulled 
a passenger-train on our State Road for many years after 
this adventure, and is now preserved as a precious relic. 

When the war began, Atlanta — called '"'The Gate City" 
— was qnite a large town, with many fine and substantial 
houses. On account of its railroads it soon became a mili- 
tary post of great importance. 

In these stirring times the chief interest of our State 
was centered in her soldiers. The Georgia women were not 
one whit behind the men in patriotism, courage and prompt 
action. Knitting socks for soldiers took the place of fancy 
work. Stitch, stitch; knit, knit; day in and day out; few 
women or girls in Georgia were idle. Our Governor re- 
quested contributions of clothing for the soldiers in the 
field; two ladies in Bibb county were the first to respond, 
but very soon every town, village and country-side in the 
State were gladly aiding. 

The Masonic Hall in Augusta was converted into a vast 
clothing establishment, where could be found every kind of 
garment needed by a soldier. The ladies of the city, with a 
never wearying zeal and industry, and with a devotion wor- 
thy of the cause m which their State was enlisted, worked 
for the brave defenders of Georgia's rights. 

In addition to our State troops, the most respectable 
citizens of each county, who were too old or too feeble to 
go to the front, were organized into companies, and called 
"Home Guards." They drilled as often as they could, and 
held themselves in readiness to respond at any time to a 
call to arms. 

This year Howell Cobb and his brother, Thomas R. R. 
Cobb, were made brigadier-generals. 

L'84 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Georgia strained every nerve to aid the Confederacy, and 
largely supplied it with munitions of war. Powder mills 
were established at Augusta, a cannon foundry at Rome, a 
central ammunition laboratory at Macon, and manufactories 
of arms at Athens, Milledgeville and Columbus. On every 
plantation the spinning-wheel was humming and the loom 
rattling. Cotton and wool cards, the reel and the winding 
blades, were familiar objects in every house. While the 
men at home were making arms and ammunition, the 
women were making cloth and clothing, and contributing 
in every way possible to the bodily comfort of the soldiers. 

Georgia, situated near the center of this struggling young 
nation, and having no dissensions within her borders, was 
freely giving her sons, her substance and her entire influ- 
ence to maintain the fortunes of the Southern Confederacy. 



2!55 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES, (Continued.) 
1862. ' 

The counties of ISTorth Georgia are nestled among the 
Blue Ridge and its spurs. Their inhabitants are a brave, 
patriotic and hardy people, loving their section as ardently 
as the Scotch love their mountains and lakes. In no sec- 
tion of our State were the people more devoted to Georgia's 
interests. They had buckled on their swords as soon as 
the war began, and had gone to far-away battle-fields to 
fight against the despotism of Black Republicanism. Their 
patriotism was proportionally greater, from the fact that 
they had no negroes to till the soil and provide for their 
families during their absence. What Georgian is not 
proud to claim these brave mountaineers as countrymen? 

Early in the spring a party of Yankees, seventy-five or 
eighty strong, made a dash from East Tennessee into Mor- 
ganton, the county site of Fannin. After prowling over 
the town, they went to the residence of one of the citizens 
to arrest his son, who was at home on a furlough. He re- 
sisted arrest, and they fired upon him, severely, but not 
dangerously, wounding him. His father, who was standing 
behind him, was struck by the ball and instantly killed. 
One of the men then seized the boy to disarm him, when his 

286 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

sister, nerved to desperation and thinking that he, too, would 
be killed, sprang npon the Yankee with a bowie-knife and 
stabbed him in fonr places. A comrade ran to the rescue, 
and, with the breech of his gun, knocked the girl to the 
floor senseless; but she had done her work so effectually that 
the stabbed man was dead when she recovered. 

The Yankees, fearing an attack from Col. Young's men 
who patrolled that region, did not tarry long in the town. 
They carried off as prisoners a few old men whose offense 
was that they claimed the privilege of differing with them 
on political questions. 

Although Georgia's ports were now blockaded, a kind 
Providence had so blessed our soil and climate, that almost 
•everything necessary to our support and comfort could be 
produced within the limits of the State; but it is a curious 
fact that, with the briny Atlantic washing her eastern 
boundary, the scarcity of salt became a serious inconven- 
ience. The Governor and the Legislature took the matter 
in hand and saved Georgia from a salt famine, by thwarting 
the speculators and by making an appropriation for the 
manufacture of salt, but this problem was a very serious one 
throughout the war. 

Our State cared well for her sick and wounded soldiers. 
"The Georgia Eelief and Hospital Association," at Kich- 
mond, Va., with its physicians, nurses, and matrons, looked 
after our disabled men at the front. Dr. James Camak, 
of Athens, was medical director. Always faithful and en- 
•ergetic, he rendered incalculable relief to our troops. In 
addition to his other duties as surgeon and physician, he 
■devoted much of his time to the sick and wounded, lavish- 
ing upon them a care that could not have been exceeded if 

287 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

the patients had been his own brothers. After a great bat- 
tle, riot Georgians alone claimed his attention; he attended 
with the same untiring kindness any Confederate soldiers 
that chance threw in his way. 

The soldiers who were cut off, at home, by disease, or in 
camp or hospital, were as much martyrs to liberty as those 
who fell on the field of battle; and their names are written 
by Georgia on imperishable scrolls. 

There is no more interesting fact connected with the part 
that Georgia took in the war between the States, than that 
many Creeks and Cherokees, remnants of the two great 
Indian nations that once owned this soil, fought for the 
Confederacy. They made fine soldiers and showed them- 
selves to be true men, exhibiting a firmness and devotion to 
the cause which was excelled by none. 

Among the Creeks, Ho-poth-le-yo-holo was an exception. 
"True to his hatred of Georgia, away beyond the Missis- 
sippi, he arrayed his warriors in hostility to the Confed- 
eracy; and, when numbering nearly a hundred w^inters, led 
them in battle in Arkansas against the name of his heredi- 
tary foe and hereditary hate — Mcintosh ; and with this offi- 
cer in command of the Confederate troops, he was defeated 
and his followers dispersed. Since that time nothing has 
been known of the fate of the old warrior-chief." 

Georgia soldiers this year added anew to their fame by 
deeds of valor in Virginia. They were with "StonewalF 
Jackson in his wonderful Valley Campaign. The 12th 
Georgia, called "the bloody 12th," helped him to win the 
victory in the engagement at McDowell, which was their 
third pitched battle. 



288 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

The service in Virginia was very arduous. Our soldiers 
suffered great privations of rest and food, and made long 
marches — many without shoes — over mountain roads, but 
their enthusiasm never flagged. Georgians fought valiant- 
ly in the swamps of the Chickahominy, and in the bloody 
and trying conflicts around Kichmond, where their patriot- 
ism, courage and efliciency were brilliantly displayed. 
Space fails to mention all the individual acts of gallantry of 
officers and men which are recorded in the reports of their 
different regiments. 

In one of the battles on the Chickahominy, Col. Thomas, 
of the 35th Georgia, though wounded, remained at the 
head of his regiment. His adjutant and other officers were 
conspicuous for gallantry, and sealed with their lives their 
devotion to the cause. The quartermaster of the regiment, 
seeing it deficient in field officers, volunteered his services 
for the occasion, and rendered valuable aid until he was 
seriously wounded. 

Col. Fulsom, of the 14th Georgia, was confined to his bed 
when the order was given to move forward; but he arose 
and gallantly led his regiment in this battle, though labor- 
ing under the effects of disease. 

In May, after the battle of Seven Pines, Gen. Alex. R. 
Lawton was ordered to form a command and send it to Rich- 
mond as quickly as possible. lie earnestly requested by 
telegraph to be permitted to go with them, which was 
granted; and the magnificent brigade which he took to Vir- 
ginia, one of the largest in Confederate service,' arrived just 
in time to take part in the seven days' fighting around the 
capital of the Confederacy. 

li' 289 ■ 



GEOKGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

On the 27th of June, they moved rapidly to the attack 
upon the flank of the Federal General, McClellan, at Cold 
Harbor. It was their first battle after they were organized 
as Lawton's Brigade, and they won a reputation which grew 
brighter and more illustrious in each battle in which they 
were engaged, until the war ended. It was in this conflict 
that Gen. Lawton led his gallant Georgians through the 
woods, firing at every step, and guided by the volleys of the 
enemy towards the thickest of the fight. In the midst of 
the woods they met Gen. Ewell, then hotly engaged, who, 
as he saw that long line advancing under fire, waved his 
sword and shouted : 

"Hurrah for Georgia P^ 

The brigade responded with a cheer and moved forward 
more rapidly than ever. In emerging from the woods, the 
31st and 38th regiments found themselves in the hottest 
part of the battle, where the Confederates were pressing the 
enemy towards the left. They joined the contest at that 
point, under a murderous fire. Steadily did they push for- 
ward, doing great execution, until their last cartridge was 
expended; and even then, they joined heartily in that final 
charge after nightfall, which resulted in shouts of victory. 
The list of killed and wounded in these two regiments attest 
the danger which they so gallantly faced. 

Toombs's brigade was also in this battle, the 2d and 
15th regiments being more actively engaged than the rest 
of tke command. Their conduct w-as brilliantly heroic 
when the enemy endeavored to drive them from their posi- 
tion in the ravine; but they found themselves unable to 
wrench it from the grasp of these determined Georgians, 

290 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

and were driven back and repulsed after two hours of fierce 
conflict. The chivah-ous colonel, William Mcintosh, was 
at the most exposed part of the line, when he fell mortally 
wounded while cheering on his men. 

In Gen. Longstreet's desperate fight at Frazier's Farm, 
the 14th Georgia formed the left wing, while the 35th, 
45th, and 49th Georgia regiments formed the right wing 
of his army. 

At Malvern Hill, Gen. Howell Cobb's brigade "fought 
valliantly, though for more than forty-eight hours before 
the battle his men had little rest or food. Their ranks 
were thinned by exhaustion, but there was no murmuring 
or spirit of complaint as long as there was an enemy in 
their front. 

In this battle Gen. Lawton again led his now famous 
brigade. Maj. Mcintosh . was conspicuous for gallantry 
and had his horse shot from under him. 

Georgians took a prominent part in the victories in which 
Gen. Robert E. Lee, in quick succession, defeated the Fed- 
eral Generals, McClellan, Pope and Burnside, and in the 
campaign of Albert Sidney Johnston in Tennessee. ■ 

In the second battle of Manassas, where the Federal Gen- 
eral, Pope, was completely routed, Gen. Toombs led the 
last charge of the Confederates against the enemy, one 
of whose colonels was Fletcher Webster, son of the eloquent 
senator, Daniel Webster, who had so often exerted his 
power to avert an issue of arms between the States. Col. 
Webster fell mortally wounded at the head of liis regiment. 
Recognizing Gen. Toombs as he was dashiag by, he called 
liim. The gallant Georgian turned his horse, and, seeing 
the condition of his quondam friend, ordered a detail of 

291 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

soldiers to remain with the dying man and give him every 
possible attention. The meeting and parting of the friends 
were deeply affecting. • 

On the first day of this fight, Gen. Ewell lost a leg, and 
Gen. Lawton, whose brigade was in the action, was given 
command of the division; (he led it on the second and 
third days of the battle.) 

He continned to command this division, which included 
his brigade, until he was seriously wounded at Sharpsburg. 
In this engagement he Avas defending the Confederate left, 
where the fighting was fast and furious, as the Federals 
tried to break through the line, when he found that he 
had only one staff officer remaining. This was Henry 
Jackson, who was the first cadet officer appointed to the 
Confederate army by Pres. Davis. This youth, only seven- 
teen years old, was the eldest son of Gen. Henry R. Jack- 
■son. Gen. Tawton now sent him with a message to Gen. 
Hood, asking his assistance. He dashed up to Gen. Hood, 
who Avas in bivouac with his jaded troops, and with the 
instinctive politeness of a well-born southern boy said, 
"Gen. Lawton sends his compliinents, with the request that 
you come at once to his support." 

He conducted Gen. Hood's division to its proper place in 
the line, and, later on in the battle, had Gen. Lawton borne 
from the field when he was wounded. 

On one occasion during this summer that was so full of 
fierce fighting and heroic deeds, the Troup Artillery of 
Athens, in Cobb's Legion, was in such a position in battle 
that, while exposed to a galling fire from the enemy, they 
could not reply with safety to the Confederates engaged; 

292 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

jet, under such trying circumstances, tlieir coolness was 
admirable. 

On another occasion the 9th Georgia and the 1st Geor- 
gia Kegulars, a gallant body of skirmishers, drove the Yan- 
kees from their position through their bivouac, capturing 
their knapsacks, canteens and other property. 

Again, when the 1st Georgia regulars were deployed as 
skirmishers, the duty assigned them was attended with 
great labor, but they acquitted themselves admirably. For 
nearly a day they were in advance of the entire division, 
preserving their alignments through woods and over every 
obstacle. Afterwards, when they were in immediate con- 
flict with the enemy, they behaved wdth a steadiness and 
coolness which exhibited the excellency of their discipline, 
the efficiency of the officers and the courage of the men. 

The 7th and 8th regiments, of glorious fame, did their 
share of the fighting during this year, sustained heavy 
losses, and the chivalrous Lamar was dangerously wounded. 
It is said that the Ttli Georgia Avas the first regiment that 
ever placed a Confederate flag upon a Federal battery. 

It was in September that "the seven governoi-s of Xorth- 
ern States," the men who had forced on the war, joined by 
five others of the same fanatical character, met in secret 
junto and demanded of Pres. Lincoln that the execution 
of military affairs be placed in the hands of persons of anti- 
slavery views, and that slavery be abolished. The pressure 
upon him was so great that he was compelled to issue his 
Emancipation Proclamation. Thus, without their consent, 
and against the Constitution of the LTnited States, he de- 
prived the citizens of tlie non-seceding border States of their 
property. 

293 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

AVith Georgia he had no right to interfere, as she had re- 
sumed all her reserved rights, and was no longer a member 
of the I'ederal Union. ' Still, if the enemy conld overrun 
Gieorgia with an armed force, they could also deprive her 
of a great part of her wealth, against her will and against 
the Constitution of that Union which they so pretended 
to love. 



ISTothing was so characteristic of the Georgia soldiers as 
the determination with w^hich they Avonld hold a position. 
Again and again during this war did they cling to a point 
with the tenacity of a bulldog. 

On the morning of the 14th of September, at the battle 
of South Mountain, the 23d and 28th Georgia regiments, 
being in the wrong position, were brought back and placed 
behind a stone wall which ran perpendicularly to the pike. 
They laid there quietly all day, not knowing that their 
brigade had surrendered. The enemy made no direct ad- 
vance by the pike, but succeeded before night in carrying 
the ground on both sides of it, and far to the rear of the 
stone wall. Strangely enough they never discovered the 
two Georgia regiments, and, thinking the way was clear, 
pushed a column up the pike. They received a galling fire 
from the stone-wall, and fell back. They made repeated 
efforts to advance, but always failed, until they finally aban- 
doned the attempt, about nine o'clock at night. 

While the Yankees were trying to pass the wall, a group 
of Confederate officers, some standing, some seated, and 
others lying down, were clustered about the toll-house on 
the summit of the mountain. Ever}^ volley from the stone 

294 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

wall was responded to by laughter from these officers, and 
the observation : "Georgia is having a free fight." 

But, indeed, it was no laughing matter, for had the wall 
been carried, the ront of those brave Georgians would have 
been complete. There are few instances in history of a 
grave disaster being averted by troops who were themselves 
cut off and surrendered. It was a most notable feat of hero- 
ism. The Troup Artillery had eighteen horses killed in 
this battle. 

At Crampton's Gap, where the Confederates were forced 
from their position after a stubborn fight, Gen. Howell 
Cobb's brigade was ordered to hold their ground at all 
hazards. Attacked by fearful odds, they suffered terribly, 
but did not yield a foot, thus giving Gen. Lee time to 
bring up his men and gain the point he desired. The bri- 
gade lost heavily — fully forty-four per cent, of its men; 
among the number, the gallant Col. ilno. B. Lamar of 
Macon. The Mell Rifles, of Athens, with twenty-seven 
men, came out with only five unhurt. 

All during the war there were innumerable instances of 
the cool-headedness and quickness of action of the Georgia 
soldiers in the ranks. After one of the Virginia battles, an 
unarmed private in the 4th Georgia battalion captured in 
the woods one lieutenant, one sergeant, and two privates 
of a j^ew Jersey regiment. The Yankees were armed, but 
he brought them into camp and delivered them to his com- 
mander. 

Thus, through cold winter's ice and snow, the balmy days 
of spring, and the fiery heat of summer, the Georgia troops 
had enthusiastically followed wherever the Bed Cross 
pointed. 

295 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1862. 

Virginia was the great battle-field this year, but Geor- 
gians were found wherever there was a Confederate army. 
They often had to perform the hard duty of waiting and 
watching, or marching and re-marching, and they dis- 
charged that duty as faithfully as the more grateful task 
of active service on the battle-field. 

Gen. Paul Semmes and liis men, of McLaw's Division, 
won fame in many of these Virginia battles. In one of 
his reports he compliments the efficient service of his volun- 
teer aids, who were "much exposed to the enemy's missiles, 
ball, shell, grape and bullets." The report ends with this 
high commendation : "Individual cases of gallantry might 
be named, but this is deemed unnecessary; only the chival- 
rous and the brave were there, in such close and deadly 
proximity to the foe." 

At King's Schoolhouse there was a severe and long-con- 
tested battle, in which many Georgia troops fought with 
their accustomed valor. Gen. Wright, in his report of this 
battle wrote: "The conduct of CoL Doles' 4th Georgia 
regiment challenges our warmest admiration and thanks, 
for the gallant manner in which it rallied late in the even- 

1?96 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

ing and drove from their stronghold the famous 'Excelsior 
brigade.' 'I Leg leave to suggest that an order be issued 
authorizing the 4th Georgia to inscribe upon its banner, 
King's SchoolhouseJ' 

Another regiment won similar distinction during this 
summer. Gen. Robt. E. Lee ordered the renowned 3d 
Georgia to inscribe South Mills upon its banner, for their 
heroic conduct in tliat battle. 

Cobb's Legion had made its name illustrious on many a 
well-fought field in Virginia, and when the war ended 
could boast that fewer men were captured from its ranks 
than from anv other legion in Confederate service. One 
day, in a desperate battle, the General in command wished 
to capture a certain battery and asked for volunteers. Col. 
Wm. G. Deloney, commander of the cavalry in this Legion, 
rode to the front, his eyes glowing with the fire of battle, 
and above the din and crash of strife his stentorian voice 
was heard to shout : "Cobb's Legion, follow me, and we 
will capture those pieces." 

In December the Legion won fresh laurels in the battle 
of Fredericksburg. Its ardent and enthusiastic leader, 
Thomas E. R. Cobb, now commanding a brigade, as a civil- 
ian had been tireless in his efforts on the hustings, through 
the Press, and in conventions for the rights of Georgia. 
Soon after the war began he raised the corps which was 
called Cobb's Legion, and began his military career with 
the same spirit and zeal with which Peter the Hermit rushed 
to Palestine to rescue the Holy Sepulchre. 

He loved the humblest soldier in his command as one 

"who had gone out witli him," considering each man a 

sacred trust for whom he was responsible to God and his 

country. 

:97 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

He and his staff walked four-fiftlis of tlie way from Win- 
chester to Fredericksburg, through snow, rain and mud,, 
while the sick and foot-sore were placed on their horses. 
In the battle his brigade, which was composed mostly of 
Georgia troops, was stationed behind a stone wall, while the 
artillery occupied the blnff in their rear. The whole force 
of the enemy at this point was hurled against the wall, but 
not a man of them ever got nearer to it than fifty feet. 
Fourteen brigades of the enemy, one after the other, were 
repulsed and decimated in the field in front. While the 
battle was hotly raging. Gen. Lee sent word to Gen. Cobb 
that his position must be held. He replied : ''It will be, 
to the last!" 

As the battle waxed hotter, the roar of musketiy and 
artillery was so terrific that orders could not be heard at any 
distance. 

In the meantime, the enemy succeeded in getting on 
Cobb's flank ; but he had promised for himself and his men 
to hold the position, and well did he keep his word ! He 
ordered Adjutant John Rutherford to bring up troops if 
any could be found; if not, to concentrate the artillery on 
that point. When the order was given neither he nor its 
bearer knew if it could be carried through the storm of 
battle. For one terrible moment it seemed as if the posi- 
tion would be taken in spite of all that courage could do; 
but the adjutant accomplished his mission, the point was 
re-inforced, and the enemy were driven from the lodgment 
which they had made in the din, smoke and darkness. The 
heroic daring of Adjutant Rutherford in carrying the order 
was worthy of him and of his name. 



298 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Calm and self-possessed, Gen. Cobb Avas everywhere, 
making his presence felt all along the line. It was while 
cheering his men and urging them to keep cool, and reserve 
their fire, that he was struck by a fragment of a shell and 
mortally wounded, in sight of the old home in Fredericks- 
burg, where his mother was born and married. As the litter 
passed down the lines bearing his mangled body, rejoicing 
over their success ceased for a time, and mourning sat upon 
the countenance of every Georgian, 

But still the battle raged, and a fixed resolution seemed 
at once to possess the Brigade, and especially the Legion, to 
avenge their beloved General, (^ol. Bobert McMillan, of 
the 24th Georgia, took Gen. Cobb's place and sent a volley 
into the ranks of the foe, which carried ruin in its way. 
Every man in the Legion caught his spirit, and his own 
regiment turned in the thickest of the fight and gave him 
three hearty clieers. He won a laurel wreath in this battle, 
to which fresh leaves were afterwards added. 

Ten thousand of the enemy were killed and wounded in 
this unsuccessful assault upon the Confederate lines, 

Phillips' Legion and the 18th Georgia were also engaged 
in this fight. Braver and better men never drew a sword 
or fired a gun. Lawton's brigade, which, after he was dis- 
abled, had been assigned to John B. Gordon, sustained its 
reputation in this memorable battle. Its gallant adjutant, 
E. P. Lawton, was among Georgia's distinguished sons who 
fell. 

After Gen. Gordon was promoted for bravery, in the 
spring of 1864, this famous brigade wa« commanded by 
Gen. C. A. Evans, colonel of the 31st Georgia, who bore 

299 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

himself nobly in every battle in which he fought. He re- 
tained the command until Gen. Lee's surrender. 

Gen. Cobb's body was carried to his home in Athens for 
burial. JSTever in the history of that town was such a 
funeral procession seen. Aged sires and prattling children, 
matrons and maidens, all classes mingled with the military 
to do him honor. Conspicuous in the immense procession, 
leading his war-horse, was Jesse, his body-servant, who had 
followed him to the war. 

By the murmuring waters of the Oconee rests the hon- 
ored dust of Gen. Thomas R. R. Cobb, who had fought 
neither for self-interest, nor passion, nor prejudice, but for 
constitutional liberty. Among the long list of her martyrs 
who have fallen in freedom's cause his name shines bril- 
liantly on the page of Georgia's history. Gen. Lee, from 
his camp near Fredericksburg, wrote a letter of condolence 
to Gen. Howell Cobb on the death of his brother, which 
deserves to be printed in letters of gold, i^o hero ever won 
higher praise. 

All through this year th.e Georgia troops suffered greatly. 
Gens. Lawton, Toombs and Ranse "Wright were wounded, 
and Col. C. A. McDaniel, of the 41st Georgia, was killed. 
The names of all the Georgians who this year died on the 
field of glory are recorded upon the hearts of a grateful 
people. Georgia consented to the sacrifice of her noble 
sons only to secure the inestimable blessing for which they 
fought and died. 

While our soldiers were winning fame in Virginia and 
the West, those ^'ho remained in the State were not idle. 
Commodore Tattnall made several attempts with his small 
force to attack the fleet which was blockading Savannah. 

300 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

His iron-clad, Atlanta, delivered battle singly to two iron- 
clads of the enemy. The Atlanta got aground twice — the 
second time hopelessly so. She was attacked in this situa- 
tion, and her men fonght bravely, but were finally forced 
to surrender. 

Gen. Howell Cobb, of whom it was justly said, '^'he was 
loved by the lowly and honored by the great," had been 
transfeiTcd to Georgia in iiSrovember, and was assigned to 
duty in the southern part of the State. 

The enthusiasm of Georgia women in working for the 
soldiers, in encouraging and comforting them in health, 
and nursing them when sick and wounded, had never 
abated. As the fall came on, every woman and girl was 
busily working to protect the soldiers against the wintry 
cold, and every heart was with the army in the field. 
Proudly does Georgia boast that there were 30,000 girls 
knitting socks for soldiers. A Jackson county child only 
six years old knit a pair with her own little hands. 

An Athens lady, a most ardent Southerner, took the lead 
pipes out of her house and from the fountains in her beauti- 
ful yard, to mould bullets for the soldiers. These bullets 
were used in the battle of Shiloli. The patriotism of the 
women and children of Georgia was a sight to arouse the 
admiration of mankind ! Who shall say that the Georgia 
women did not do as much as the men in the sacred cause 
of freedom ? 

■^''After one of the battles around Richmond, a letter was 
taken from the breast-pocket of a dead private soldier of a 
Georgia regiment. It was written on coarse Confederate 
paper with pale Confederate ink. It was from his sweet- 

* Thomas Nelson Page. 

101 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

heart. They were plain and illiterate people, for it was 
badly written and badly spelled. In it she told him that 
she loved him; that she had always loved him since they 
had gone to school together in the little log schoolhouse in 
the woods; that she was sorry she had always treated him 
so badly, and that now, if he would get a furlough and come 
home, she would marry him. Then, as if fearful that this 
temptation might prove too strong to be resisted, there was 
a little postscript scrawled across the blue Confederate 
paper: 'Don't come without a furlough, for if you don't 
come honorable, I won't marry you.' " 

Love for their State and an influence full of incitement 
to honorable and heroic action were exhibited by Georgia 
women from the lowly cottage to the stately mansion. 

When the year ended, Confederate money was depre- 
ciating — three or four dollars of it being equal to only one 
dollar in gold. Georgia, with her never-failing patriotism, 
did what she could to strengthen the currency, and the 
Legislature fought against the despicable speculators who 
had caused the price of provisions and clothing to be nearly 
quadrupled in value. A Confederate stamp cost ten cents. 

The close of the year found Georgia doing her whole 
duty in every way. She had 75,000 men in Confederate 
service and 8,000 for State defense; and well were her men 
and women illustrating the valor and patriotism of their 
State ! 



302 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1863. 

As the new year advanced, Georgia labored under a terri- 
ble pressure. Three-fourths of her able-bodied men were 
fighting m other States, provisions were getting scarce, and 
there was a multiplying number of soldiers' widows and 
orphans dependent upon the State for support. 

A Federal fleet was still investing our coast, and towards 
the end of January some of their gunboats made a demon- 
stration against Fort McAllister, which was an earthwork 
with sand parapets, at the mouth of the Ogeechee river. 
It was among the earliest of the Confederate defenses con- 
structed on the Georgia coast. Its mission was to prevent 
the ascent of the river by any Federal ship, and to this end 
its guns were disposed. Its rear was protected by a heavy 
entrenchment, not with the hope of offering successful re- 
sistance to any serious investment from the land side, but 
simply to repel any sudden assault by expeditions from the 
hostile fleet. It commanded the channel of the Ogeechee 
river, shielded the important Railroad bridge Jiear Way's 
station, and preserved from molestation the rice plantations 
in its neighborhood. 

The Federals bombarded the Fort for five hours, and then 
retired without doing any damage. For the first time in 

303 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

the history of naval ^varfare, 15-iiicli guns were used in the 
effort to reduce a shore battery. The ability of sand para- 
pets to resist the effect of shot and shell from guns of the 
heaviest calibre was thus demonstrated. 

"When it was thought that Savannah would be attacked, 
the militia responded with alacrity to the Governor's call. 
Every man who coidd conmiand a gun or a pike, from the 
mountains to the seaboard, rushed to the rescue. 

About this time, for certain personal reasons, Gen. 
Toombs came home. Having permanently resigned his 
command in Virginia, he intended to raise a regiment for 
State service. In taking leave of his old troops, he proudly 
said to them : 

''Tliis Brigade knows hoAv to die, but not how to yield to 
the foe ! Since I took command over you, I have not pre- 
ferred a single charge, nor arraigned one of you before a 
court-martial. Your conduct never demanded of me such 
a duty. You can well appreciate the feeling with which I 
pai't wdth such a command. Nothing less potent than the 
requirements of a soldier's honor could with my consent 
wrench asunder these ties while a single banner of the ene- 
my floated over one foot of our country. Soldiers, com- 
rades, friends, farewell !" 

Toombs' brigade, composed of the 2d, 15th, I7th and 
20th Georgia regiments, was then placed under the com- 
mand of Gen. H. L. Benning. It formed a part of Hood's 
renowned "fighting division." 

Although the Georgia women worked so incessantly for 
our soldiers, their hardships increased in a terrible ratio as 
the war progressed. Contemplate this picture : 



304 



THE AVAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

"At early dawn, the private rises from his hard bed at 
beat of drum and pnts on his dirty clothes, not because he 
likes dirt or is lazy, but because he has neither soap nor a 
change of clothes. Ilis breakfast is soon cooked, and he sits 
down to corn-bread, beef, molasses and rice. The bread 
is made of unsifted meal almost as coarse as hominy, and 
his beef is so poor it looks blue. He jokes over his miser- 
able fare, rises from his breakfast singing ''Dixie," and 
shoulders his gun for a twenty-four hours on guard, or as 
long a march; or, perhaps, he stands on picket and the rain 
pours down on him, and his dirty clothes are saturated with 
mud." 

Xo soldiers ever grumbled so little as the privates in the 
Confederate armies. Yet many of them were nurtured in 
the lap of luxury. It was the race from which they sprang 
and the sacred cause for which they fought that gave them 
such stout hearts. Some of the best blood in Georgia was 
'in the ranks, and they proudly boasted of being ''high pri- 
vates in the front ranks." 

When the war began there lived on our seacoast a 
widow with seven sons. She armed and equipped six of 
them, and sent them forth to battle for her dear native land. 
Five of them were members of one regiment, as privates, 
and privates they remained — though offered commissions in 
the field and positions at home where they might have lived 
in ease and grown rich by speculation. 

The heroic mother paid a visit to the regiment this year, 
and, the morning she left, she called upon the Colonel and 
asked : "Have my sons done their duty ?" 

"Madam," he replied, "they are the best soldiers in the 
army." 

20g 305 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

"I knew they would do their duty," she said. "I have, 
not come, sir, to ask favors for them, but to give you my 
seventh son, my Benjamin, the child of my old age. He 
is only sixteen, but old enough to serve his country," 

On one occasion, she said to a friend who was returning 
to the army in Virginia : ''Tell my boys that I can hear 
of their death and live; but to learn that they had proved 
recreant to their country would kill me." 

It is pleasant to record that five of these brave, true- 
hearted boys lived to return to their mother after the war. 

In March, a part of the Federal fleet made another attack 
on Fort McAllister. For eight long hours it was rained 
upon, without effect, by four monitors, three 13-inch mor- 
tar schooners, and five gunboats. This was the seventh 
attempt that the Federals had made to capture it. The 
brave little garrison finally drove them off in a trippled con- 
dition, and the Confederate flag still floated proudly over its 
parade. Maj. Gallie, the commander, was killed early in 
the action. 

Georgia rang with the praises of the gallant defense of 
the Fort, and by special order the garrison inscribed on 
their flags: Fort McAllister, March 3d, 1863. 

In April, another brilliant exploit took place in our State. 
A band of Federal cavalry, eighteen hundred strong, under 
Col. Streight, made a raid into Georgia. Coming from 
Tennessee, they aimed for Atlanta and Rome — two very 
important points — intending to destroy all military sup- 
plies, and cut the railroads which carried them to the Con- 
federate army by way of Chattanooga. Information of 
this raid was received almost immediately. Gen. Forrest, 
who happened to be within striking distance, started in pur- 

306 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

suit with oiilj six hundred men. Following the raiders 
rapidly, day and night, he engaged them in several spirited 
skirmishes and two battles, and finally, by a stratagem, cap- 
tured the whole command near the picturesque town of 
Rome. He saved the western part of our State from being 
harassed by an unprincipled foe, and preserved Atlanta and 
Rome from destruction. 

When Forrest's weary and hungry men entered Rome 
with the captured Yankees, every woman in the town 
"rolled up her sleeves" and went industriously to work to 
prepare food for our gallant defenders; and when they de- 
parted, after a short rest, each one was given all the pro- 
visions he was willing to carrv. 

During the spring, a scarcity of corn caused great suffer- 
ing in our mountain counties. An old lady, who is a native 
of this part of the State, says that her section was always 
true to Georgia and the Confederacy, and hated Yankees 
more, if possible, than the rest of the State; that it is vile 
slander to say the contrary, simply because some desper- 
adoes and deserters were concealed among the mountains. 
That her words are true, let the splendid service of our 
mountain companies testify ! Iso part of the Southern 
Confederacy furnished more men, in proportion to popula- 
tion, to fight its battles; nor half so many patient, indus- 
trious, noble women. In many instances, with little chil- 
dren around their knees, they toiled in the fields for a bare 
support. What they suffered while the men were in the 
army, no pen can portray ! They were clothed entirely in 
homespun, their thread being made on spinning-wheels and 
woven into cloth on hand-looms. Occasionally, by paying 
from ten to twenty dollars, they could get a bunch of thread 

307 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

from the factories, before these were burned by the Yan- 
kees. Their salt was obtained by dio:g'ing up the dirt floors 
in their smoke-houses, where meat had been salted year 
after year, l)oiling it down in water and straining it, and 
repeating this process many times. The poorer people 
never tasted sngar, and the hardships which they endured 
in every way were terrible ! 

Gov. Brown's zeal for our soldiers and their families 
never abated. He now set an example of patriotic liber- 
ality by giving all his surplus com and shucks to needy fam- 
ilies of soldiers in Cherokee county, where his plantation 
was situated. 

It was during this spring that Jolm E. Gordon was made 
brigadier-general. He was every inch a hero! Having 
entered the army as captain of infantry, he was regularly 
promoted tlirough all the intermediate grades, and was des- 
tined to become one of the most brilliant soldiers that Geor- 
gia gave to Confederate service. 

This year, too, Georgia's distinguished son. Gen. A. R. 
Lawton, was made quartermaster-general of the Confed- 
erate army, in which position he served his country as 
effectively as he had done on many a battle-field. 

In the summer, Darien, one of our oldest towns, was cap- 
tured by Federal gunboats, and the labor of generations was 
wantonly destroyed. 

More regiments were organized this year for Confederate 
service, and when Pres. Davis called for 8,000 troops for 
home defense, 18,000 offered. 

Thus did Georgia's sons show their patriotism! Gov. 
Brown was right; conscription was unnecessary in our State. 

308 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Gen. Howell Cobb commanded these troops; under him 
were Gen. Henrj II. Jackson, at Savannah, and Gen. Al- 
fred Iverson, at Kome. 

The Georgia Press poked a great deal of fun at our Gov- 
ernor in one way or another. In their zeal for the Confed- 
eracy, they often forgot Georgia's rights as a sovereign 
State. Their special subject for ridicule was "Joe Brown's 
Pets." The name originated in this way: 

The State Guard, composed mainly of exempts and pro- 
fessional men who organized for the defense of the State, 
were under the command of the Governor, and he persist- 
ently refused to let them go out of Georgia, or to be merged 
into the Confederate army; hence their nickname. They 
were armed with anything they could get; Gov. Brown had 
a lot of pikes made which he distributed to some of the 
"pets'' with a patriotic address, and the injunction : "If the 
enemy attack you, jab 'em !" 



309 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1863. 

Early in September, a Federal army entered Georgia 
through Tennessee. They obtained possession of the passes 
leading into McLemore's Cove, intending to cut off the 
Confederate army under Gen. Bragg, at Chattanooga, from 
communication with Atlanta, force him to retreat through 
East Tennessee, and leave Georgia at their mercy. 

Under these circumstances, Gen. Bragg, who had been 
retreating before the enemy all summer, evacuated Chatta- 
nooga, entered our State, and made a stand between Ring- 
gold and Graysville, his main army being posted along the 
road between Gordon's Mill and LaFayette, in Walker 
county. There were daily skirmishes along this line, and 
occasionally a sharp fight. A cavalry engagement at 
Catoosa Springs resulted in the retreat of the Confederates 
to Tunnel Hill, where they were reinforced. In another 
cavalry fight at Kinggold, the Confederates were driven 
into the town, but they rallied under Gen. Forrest, and 
drove off the enemy in disorder. Both armies were manoeu- 
vering for a good position, and all these engagements were 
but preliminary to the great battle on the Chickamauga, in 
which Gen. Bragg commanded the Confederates and Gen. 
Rosecrans the Federals. The position occupied by the twa 

310 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES- 

annies was historic ground. The house of John Ross, the 
famous Cherokee chief, was within two miles of the battle- 
field, at the foot of a pass in IVLissionary Ridge. 

"It was in this lovely valley of the Chiekamanga, and 
along these mountain passes, that Indians of hostile 
tribes were wont to meet in battle array and settle their 
disputes. It was here that the dark-eyed maiden was 
wooed and won by her forest-born lover; it was here 
that questions of boundary and dominion and revenge 
found their bloody solution. Then, the fearless Indian 
alone held sway in these wild glens and coves, and among 
these rocky fastnesses. 

"Chickaraauga, river of death; if this was an appropriate 
name for the crooked, gliding, serpent-shaped stream in the 
days of the Indians, the events wdiich transpired here on 
that memorable Saturday and Sunday in September give it 
a yet stronger claim to that mournful title." 

Gen. Polk commanded the right wing of the Confed- 
erates, and Gen. Hood the left wing. The battle raged 
from nine o'clock Saturday morning until night closed in, 
without any material advantage to either side. Early on 
Sunday, the (confederates renewed the attack, and the tide 
of battle ebbed and flowed tlie livelong day. Gen. Long- 
street, with his brave veterans, had rushed from Virginia 
with little food or sleep, to aid Gen. Bragg. The Geor- 
gians in his command passed by their homes without stop- 
ping to embrace the loved ones there— homes that some of 
them had not seen since the beginning of the war. 

When the hardy Longstreet arrived upon the scene of 
action, he halted only long enough for his men to clear 
their eyes of the dnst of travel and replenish their cartridge 

311 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

boxes. His officers were without horses, and there were no 
wagons to transport their supplies; nor was there any time 
to procure either, for the battle was about to commence. 
AVithout rest or a moment's unnecessary delay, these veter- 
ans were placed in the van, and led every attack upon the 
enemy made by the left wing, where the Confederate suc- 
cess was most signal and where the day was really won. 
The services of the modest chieftain and his heroic com- 
mand were enthusiastically applauded throughout the 
South. In this battle there was a generous rivalry in dar- 
ing action and patient endurance, between his troops and 
those of the Confederate army of Tennessee. 

It was owing to the promptness and efficiency of Gen. 
A. R. Lawton that Longstreet's corps arrived in time to 
turn the tide of battle in favor of the Confederates. This 
feat of transporting an army corps in a limited time, and 
over worn-out railroads, from the Kapidan in Virginia to 
the Chickamauga in Georgia, is considered the most re- 
markable of tlie war. By the successful issue of this battle 
the invaders were, for a time, driven back from our State. 

The loss of officers in these two days of fighting is unpre- 
cedented in the annals' of war. Among the Georgians 
Brig.-Gen. James Deshler was killed, and also Peyton Col- 
quitt, colonel of the 46th Georgia Regulars. He was a son 
of Walter Colquitt, who was so much admired and loved 
by his State. 

The suffering caused by the battle of Chickamauga made 
a tremendous draft upon the energy, humanity and benevo- 
lence of our non-combatant population, which was most 
cheerfully met. Committees were formed for the relief 
of the wounded, and large subscriptions were made, to fur- 

312 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

nisli necessary articles and delicacies for the suffering. All 
this from Georgia's poverty, for provisions were getting so 
scarce that Gov, Brown had made an appeal to the farmers 
to plant provision crops instead of cotton. Business was 
stagnant, and the foreign commerce of the State was re- 
duced to a few small cargoes in light vessels which escaped 
the blockading fleet. 

Some weeks afterwards, Pres. Davis visited our State. 
In his speech at Marietta, he complimented Georgia women 
on their exertions in behalf of the wounded in the recent 
battles; our citizens on the alacrity with which they re- 
sponded to a call for troops, on their readiness to rally to 
the defense of the border, and on the distinguished services 
of her war-worn veterans in the field. 

After the disastrous battle of aMissionary Ridge, the Fed- 
erals, largely re-inforced, occupied Chattanooga, and the 
Confederates held their position at Tunnel Hill , in Georgia, 
The beautiful valley of the Chickamauga was neutral 
ground between the hostile armies, which remained com- 
paratively quiet for nearly three months. 

AVhile the Yankees were in Georgia, the owner of a mill 
near the Chickamauga battle-field destroyed the dam to pre- 
vent their grinding corn. For doing as he saw fit with his 
private property, he was hung on a tree in front of his 
own door. 



All dui-ing the war the Confederate navy was small, but 
her sailors were bold and dashing. Georgia contributed 
her full quota to this branch of the service. John Mcin- 
tosh Kell was a representative Georgia sailor. When his 

313 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Slate seceded he was a lieutenant in the Federal navy, and 
well on his way to the commander's list ; but he would have 
scorned the commission of an admiral, if it had been offered 
him as the price of treason to his State. He would have 
considered it little short of matricide to have brought a 
Federal ship into Georgia waters to ravage her coasts and 
fire upon her people. He became an officer of the famous 
Confederate cruiser Sumter, and then first lieutenant of 
the still more famous cruiser Alabama. These two vessels 
alone did an immense injury to the commerce of the United 
States. The Alabama ''walked the waters like a thing of 
life" and was renowned throughout the civilized world ; and 
Georgia's son, Lieut. Kell, helped to win that reno"wn. 

The revolving years had again brought around a guber- 
natorial election. Gov. Brown had the great honor of 
being elected for a fourth term, the only man ever so com- 
plimented by Georgia. He was an ideal war governor, and 
his majority was large. 

Home politics excited little interest this year, as the at- 
tention of our State was centered upon the armies and mili- 
tary operations. Georgia soldiers were keeping up their 
prestige in a magnificent manner, from the low-lying shores 
of the Gulf of Mexico to the northernmost boundaries of 
Virginia — from the Atlantic slope to the uttermost Confed- 
erate limits beyond the Mississippi; and Georgia's name was 
associated with every memorable battle fought for Southern 
independence. 

Doles, Colquitt and Iverson were in the storm of blood 
and fire at Chancellorsville; and there fell the gallant Col. 
Slaughter of the 5 1st Georgia Eegiment. The pluck of 
our soldiers was highly complimented in this fierce battle. 

314 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

An officer who knew the hazard of the endeavor, said: 
"Give me a Georgia brigade and I can carry those heights." 

In the thick of the fight, Eichard Save, a private in the 
Tronp Artillery, saw a shell fall near the gun he was serv- 
ing. Quickly stepping forward, he picked it up, with its 
fuse burning, and threw it down the hill. As it rolled on, 
it exploded. This brave act saved several lives at the im- 
minent risk of his ovni. 

Among the many Georgia soldiers who have yielded up 
their lives in defense of liberty, death has stilled no braver 
heart than that of Lieut.-Col. Wm. G. Deloney, who fell at 
Madison Court House, Va., during this year. 

With what pride does Georgia point to the patriotic 
Cobb, the dashing Toombs, the noble Benning, the brave 
Deloney, and the daring AVright ! Happy the State that 
can boast such sons ! 

At Gettysburg, the Georgia troops were in the fiercest of 
the fight. The Third Georgia Regiment of Volunteers — 
of Gen. A. R. AVright's Brigade — in charging Cemetery 
Heights, penetrated further into the enemy's lines than 
any other Confederates in that engagement : they fought 
over the ground which Pickett's Division had charged the 
evening of the 3d. Death, wounds, or captivity, were the 
fate of many Georgians during those tw^o hot days in July 
— for Longstreet bore the brunt of the fight, and his com- 
mand always included Georgians. Although he was not 
born in our State, his affiliations by descent and association 
were emphatically with Georgia. 

Gen. E. P. Alexander was Longstreet's chief of artil- 
lery, and directed that fearful fire of a hundred guns upon 

315 



GEORGIA L\ND AND PEOPLE. 

the enemy's batteries at Gettysburg. Gen. Paul Semmes 
was mortally wounded in this battle. 

On one occasion this year, while the 23d Georgia was on 
picket dutj at Fredericksburg, co-nversation with the Yan- 
kee pickets was strictly forbidden, but a word would pass 
between them now and then. A yankee, getting the atten- 
tion of a Georgian, bawled out : "I understand you have a 
new general on your side." 

Upon being asked who it was, he replied: ''General 
Staiwation." 

Finding they could not whip us as long as there were any- 
thing like equal numbers in our armies, they gloried in the 
prospect of starving us out. 

A young soldier from Columbia county, in the 10th Geor- 
gia, had Ijeen two years in service. He had fought in all 
the Virginia battles except the first Manassas, and had 
never been touched by ball or shell. During the great fight 
on the Kappahannock this year he was severely wounded 
in the face and hand by a Minie ball. Walking off the 
field, covered with blood, and very faint, but still holding 
his loaded gun in the uninjured hand, he saw a Yankee 
marching off three of our unarmed soldiers as prisoners. 
Passing quite near the wounded Georgian, he called out to 
him to surrender. As quick as a flash, the Georgian raised 
his gun and shot him dead, thus saving himself and releas- 
ing his three comrades. 

Familiarity with the conduct of Georgia women during 
this war increases the wonder at their heroism and self- 
sacrifice. Th^' stood shoulder to shoulder with the men 
in their love for Georgia, deeming it glorious to give up 
every comfort and pleasure for their beloved State. They 

316 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

surrendered their gems with a smile, without a sigh cut up 
their rich carpets for soldiers' blankets, and freely sent their 
fine linen to hospitals for lint and bandages. The cheek 
glows and the heart swells with pride at the recital of the 
labor of love performed by the busy fingers of children as 
they knit soldiers' socks in their hours of recreation, and 
of the many acts of self-sacrifice displayed by our bonny 
girls ! Fifty thousand pairs of socks were sent from Geor- 
gia this year to assist in carrying our heroes comfortably 
through the winter. There was nothing that our women 
would not do for the soldiers, and a sacrifice of comfort 
was a part of their daily lives. A lady in Xewnan, who 
had given her horses to tlie cavalry, was content to have 
her fine carriage drawn by a couple of oxen ! 

Mrs. Mary Ann Williams, Rvife of the colonel of the 
1st Georgia Regulars, established the "Wayside Homes" 
for soldiers; a system that immediately went into operation; 
from our State to Virginia. Cooked provisions were sent 
as voluntary contributions to appointed railroad stations, 
and a committee of ladies saw that, when the train arrived,, 
every soldier had a good meal without money and without 
price. The "Wayside Home" at Union Point and other 
places where troops were constantly passing, was an inesti- 
mable blessing to "the boys in gray." 



When the manhood of Georgia went to the front, they 
confidently left their wives and children to the care of their 
negroes. These humble friends tilled the soil, ministered 
kindly to the needs of the unprotected women and children, 
and performed all their customary services with the same 

317 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

cheerfulness and alacrity as when the men were at home. 
How faithfully those who went to th(! army with their mas- 
ters served them is known to every Georgia veteran ! 
Most praiseworthy was their conduct, and Georgia's heart 
warms towards them still for their fidelity, friendship and 
uninterrupted labors during a period of trouble such as our 
State had never known. 

Every year when the Legislature met they appropriated 
money for the "Georgia Relief and Hospital Association" 
at Richmond, and for the indigent families of soldiers. 

"When the Confederate army retreated to Dalton, Gen. 
Bragg asked to be relieved of the command, and it was 
offered to a noble Georgian, Gen. Wm. J. Hardee. Declin- 
ing the permanent leadership, he was placed in temporary 
command until Gen. Johnston assumed control in Decem- 
ber. 

Hardee was tall and handsome, and one of the finest 
horsemen in the South. A man of rare suavity, his talents 
fitted him to shine as a scholar, and also to occupy a prom- 
ineint place in military councils where stern warriors were 
wont to figure. He was a veteran of the Mexican w^ar, and 
one of the most superb soldiers in Confederate service. 
For bravery at the battle of Sliiloh he had been promoted 
from brigadier to major-general, and placed in command of 
a division of Bragg's army. Xow he was defending his 
jiative soil against invasion. 

As the year drew to a close the depreciation of Confed- 
erate money caused great distress in Georgia. Twenty-one 
dollars of it was only equal to one dollar in gold ; and then, 
too, Georgia had lost 9,504 of her heroic sons. No State 
in the Confederacy had sustained so great a loss. Oh, the 

318 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

sorro^y, the desolation, the crushed hearts in our homes ! 
Bartow, Cobb, Cooper, Xehus, Stovall, Smith and Burch, 
with hundreds of other devoted Georgians, were killed on 
Virginia's sacred soil, and hundreds were killed in the "West. 
Where they sleep "glory keeps eternal watch." 

Besides this mountain of sorrow, a powerful, hostile army 
was upon Georgia's northern border and the situation was 
critical. Yet never once did her sons falter, but, with stern 
resolve, every freeman prepared to meet the invaders as 
became men fighting for everything they held dear. The 
militia, between sixteen and sixty, were enrolled, and the 
Governor authorized to call them out if necessary. 

!N"o State in the Southern Confederacy had surpassed 
Georgia in struggling for the right of self-government. 
Her soldiers had been in the forefront of battle; her whole 
population, men, women, children and negroes, had come 
fully up to the measure of what was expected of them. 
She had furnished her quota of troops, and in some in- 
stances more than were called for ; and, now, when an unre- 
lenting foe was threatening an invasion, her sons rushed to 
arms with their wonted ardor and enthusiasm. Proudly 
do Georgians point to this year of bitter sorrow and strug- 
gle, and say : Our State did her whole duty ! 



319 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (CoxTiNUEn). 
18(J4. 

Georgia was the verv ]ieart of the Southern Confederacy. 
She supplied the army with grain, with most of its powder, 
and with a considerable portion of the war material em- 
ployed in its equipment. There were large iron works at 
Etowah, Eome and Atlanta; cotton and woollen mills at 
Augusta, Columbus, lioswell, Athens, and other town^, 
which turned out great quantities of fabrics for the use of 
Confederate troops. The machine shops of the principal 
railroads were in Atlanta, and there, too, was the most ex- 
tensive rolling mill in the Confederacy, besides pistol and 
tent factories, and numerous other works which were under 
the direction of the Confederate Government. Hence, it 
was of first importance to the whole country that our State 
should not be overrun by a Federal army. 

In Februai'v. the enemy resumed active military opera- 
tions on our northern b(^nlor and in Florida. The battle 
of Olustee, or Ocean Pond, Fla., was fought by a Georgian, 
Gen. Alfred H. Colquitt. He gained a brilliant victor^" 
and saved Florida from further invasion, winning for him- 
self the title of "hero of Olustee." The Confederates cap- 
tured quantities of arms and ammunition. A section of 

320 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

the captured twelve-pounder ]^apoleon guns was assigned 
to the Chatham Artillery, Jed by Capt. Wheaton, for their 
gallant and efficient conduct during the engagement; when 
they were returning from the victorious field they were 
lustily cheered again and again, by the men of Colquitt's 
Brigade. During the remainder of the war, with feelings 
of special pride, this famous company retained the captured 
guns as a component part of their battery. 

It is a fact worthy of record that, during the four years 
of war, the Chatham Artillery furnislied from its member- 
ship more than fifty commissioned officers to Confederate 
and State service. 

Historic truth requires that trivial events should be de- 
scribed, and expression given to the emotions of the times, 
so that posterity may appreciate not only the efforts but the 
sentiments of our people. Among the war-worn soldiers 
who rushed to the defense of Florida there was, in one of 
the Georgia regiments, a boy whose bare feet were bleed- 
ing from long marching. When the train bearing these 
troops arrived at Madison, Fla., as was usual, a large crowd 
of ladies w^as there with refreshments for the soldiers. A 
young lady, moved by a noble impulse of pity, took off her 
shoes and made the suffering Georgia lad put them on, 
> while she Avalked home in her stockings. This instance is 
only one in a thousand that illustrates the devotion of the 
glorious southern girls to the Confederate cause. 

Towards the latter part of February, the Federal col- 
imms united in front of Ringgold; there was considerable 
skirmishing with the Confederates, and battles at Tunnel 
Hill, Mill Creek Gap, and Dug Gap. The latter is on 

21g 321 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPJ.E, 

Eocky Face Ridge — a steep, thickly wooded and rugged 
eminence which commands the approach to Dalton both by 
railroad and wagon road. It was held by the Confederates. 
For abont a month after this there was no other engage- 
ment between the two armies. During this interval of 
quiet, the Confederate army under Gen. Johnston lay at 
Dalton, which was defended by strong works on Mill Creek. 
While they were recuperating they constructed additional 
fortifications, thus gathering their energies for a contest 
with an enemy outnumbering them more than two to one. 
While the army was still in camp, there was a great snow 
storai on the 2 2d of March, and the Confederates amused 
themselves by a mock battle with snowballs. 

This same month. Gov. Brown called an extra session of 
the Legislature to discuss what was best to be done in this 
time of gloom. His message, full of a burning patriotism, 
created a great sensation all over the Confederacy. Com- 
plimentary resolutions were passed on the conduct of the 
Georgia troops whose time had now expired, but who im- 
mediately re-enlisted. The battle flags of the 10th and 
50th Georgia Ilegiments were placed in the State archives. 
An act was passed by this Legislature allowing any woman 
In Georgia a total divorce from her husband, if he was in 
the Federal army, voluntarily living within the enemy's 
lines, or furnishing them aid. 

What is known as the Georgia campaign began the first 
week in May. The Federals at Chattanooga, largely re- 
inforced, and placed under the command of Gen. Sherman, 
moved down upon the Confederates at Dalton, thinking to 
crush them by force of numbers. 



322 



THE WAE BETWEEN THE STATES. 

The enemy destroyed everything between Chattanooga 
and Ringgold, leaving the country a barren waste ; but they 
repaired the State Road as quickly as possible. They held 
to this railroad with great tenacity, as over it the supplies 
for their army w^ould have to be transported. So important 
did they consider its possession, that they left garrisons to 
protect each bridge as they progressed nearer and nearer 
to Atlanta. 

Dalton was impregnable to any direct attack, so the Fed- 
erals made a feint of a vigorous assault on Gen. Johnston's 
front, while a portion of their army was sent through Snake 
Creek Gap to flank him and capture Resaca, eighteen miles 
below Dalton. 

Resaca is situated on the Oostanaula river, in a penin- 
sular formed by the junction with the Conasauga. The 
Confederates had erected lines of rifle-pits, mth strong field 
fortifications across this peninsular, so their flank was pro- 
tected on both riverS, and a line of retreat preserved across 
the Oostanaula. The position was too strong for the enemy 
to assault, but Gen. Johnston, who saw the trap set for 
him, gave up Dalton and concentrated his forces at this 
point. It was his policy to protect his precious army, even 
at the sacrifice of territory, for when one of the Confed- 
■erate heroes fell, there was no other to take his place. Gen. 
Johnston could only give battle when there was a chance 
of success, and endeavor to draw the Federals from their 
base of supplies. 

In the battle of Resaca, the Federals lost 5,000 men, 
while the Confederate loss was inconsiderable. During 
the conflict in the forenoon there had been some furious 
fighting over a four-gun battery. After the war, when 

323 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

the dead at Resaca were disinterred, 170 Confederates were 
fonnd on this spot and 1,790 Federals. Such a continual 
fire was kept up that neither side had an opportunity for 
removing the guns; they were left between the two armies 
until dark, and then seized by the Federals. These were 
the only field trophies captured by the enemy during the 
entire campaign to the Chattahoochee river. 

Gen. Johnston's base, where he had his reserves, was six 
miles below Resaca, at Calhoun — which is within a mile of 
the Oostanaula river. 

Col. I. W. Avery, of the 4tli Georgia cavalry, was sta- 
tioned at Tanner's Ferry, on this river. He was endeavor- 
ing to protect two miles of the river; but, with only a bri- 
gade of cavalry and a battery of artillery, he had a thin 
line of defense. The Federals sent a heavy force against 
the ferry, Avhile their main army was attacking Gen. John- 
ston at Resaca. The Confederates made a stubborn resist- 
ance, but after several hours' fighting, when half of Col. 
Avery's brigade was killed, the enemy forced a passage 
over the river, and were three and a half miles nearer to 
Calhoun than was Gen. Johnston. 

When this news reached him, knowing that it would be 
hazardous to risk any interruption of his communications 
with Atlanta, he quietly withdrew from Resaca during the 
night and fell back to Cassville. This movement left open 
to the enemy the road to Rome, with its valuable mills, 
foundries and military stores. Cassville was a strong posi- 
tion and the Confederate army was eager to fight, so Gen. 
Johnston determined to make a stand. Against his judg- 
ment he abandoned this intention when his two lieutenants, 
Hood and Polk, said they could not hold their positions. 

321 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

The noble Georgian, Gen. Hardee, who had the weakest 
position in the line, promised to hold his ground. He and 
Gen. W. H. T. Walker were conspicuous during this entire 
campaign for their gallantry and efficiency. 

There were several contests around Cassville, and sharp 
skirmishing often occurred in the streets. The fine college 
buildings and many residences were riddled with balls. 

Allatoona Pass, in the Etowah mountains, was another 
strong Confederate position. The Federal General, think- 
ing that Gen. Johnston would utilize it, flanked him again 
by moving towards Dallas. The information of this inten- 
tion of the enemy was secured by a Georgia general, Joseph 
Wheeler, who, with his cavalry, was closely watching their 
actions. He had just had a sharp fight near Cassville, with 
a body of Federal troops who were guarding a large supply 
train. The battle resulted in the capture by the Confeder- 
ates of a good many prisoners and 200 wagons loaded with 
army stores. Seventy of these wagons with their teams 
were carried across Etowah river, and the other wagons 
with their contents w^ere burned. 

As soon as Gen. Johnston heard of the enemy's flank 
movement, he abandoned the natural fortress of Allatoona 
and interposed his army at Xew Hope church. The enemy 
at once occupied Allatoona, and, strongly fortifying it, 
made it a secondary base of supply. 

A furious and bloody battle was fought at New Hope 
church. Early in the action a large body of Federal cav- 
alry made an efi^ort to turn the right wing of the Confed- 
erates and get in between them and the railroad. The 4th 
Georgia Cavalry, led by Col. Avery, was sent at double- 
quick speed to check them, A sharp fight occurred, and 

325 



OEORGIA. LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Col. Avery was badly wounded in the onset; but, supported 
in his saddle by a soldier, he continued to command, and 
maintained the contest until the arrival of reinforcements 
capable of holding the position. 

During the progress of the battle. Gen. Johnston and 
Gen. Hood were standing near the church, only a few yards 
apart, when a shell from a Federal battery burst between 
them without hurting either. 

The fighting of the Confederates was magnificent. 
StovalFs brigade of Georgians fought without any pro- 
tection. 

Some of the Federal officers had circulated the report 
among their troops that Johnston's army was demoralized. 
The Confederates heard of it, so, on one portion of the 
battle-field, when the enemy were advancing on "the boys 
in gi'ay," a pleasant smile played upon their countenances 
as they cried out to the Federals: "Come on, Yanks, come 
on, w^e are demoralized !" 

The fighting continued until night fell with lowering 
clouds and heavy rains. The two armies, facing each other 
among the thickly-wooded hills, worked through the dark- 
ness to strengthen their positions against any sudden assault. 
After the battle of New Hope church there was daily fight- 
ing for ten days. Early in June there was a sharp cavalry 
fight at Big Shanty, where the Confederates were success- 
ful; about the middle of the month there was a contest at 
Bush mountain. Every effort made by the enemy against 
the position occupied by the main Confederate army was 
bloodily repulsed, so they began another flank movement. 
The strong positions of the Confederates were wrested from 
them, not by assault or by generalship, but by force of 
numbers. 

323 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

The Federals now moved around the Confederate lines, 
and the two armies faced each other once more. Gen. 
Sherman was near Ac worth, and Gen. Johnston near Mari- 
etta, w^here his soldiers manned the mountains in the neigh- 
borhood. 

Kennesaw mountain, which was on Gen. Johnston's 
right, is a double-peaked eminence 1,200 feet high. Lost 
mountain is west of Marietta. Half way between the town 
and Kennesaw, but a little further north, is Pine mountain, 
a rugged, cone-shaped peak. This mountain forms the 
apex of a triangle, of which Kennesaw and Lost mountains 
constitute the base. The three mountains are connected 
by several ranges of lesser heights, seamed with ravines and 
covered Avith a dense growth of oak and hickory. Upon 
these summits the Confederates had erected signal stations 
which commanded an excellent view of the general opera- 
tions of the enemy. 

When the Federal army had been re-inforced and rested. 
Gen. Sherman tried to break through the interposing wall 
of Confederates, and on the 9th of June a terrible battle 
was fought. From that time for twenty-three days there 
was incessant fighting. Sometimes it would lull to a skir- 
mish, and then again burst into a deadly struggle. Gen. 
Hood commanded the Confederate right. Gen. Hardee the 
left, and Gen. Polk the center. 

In vain had the Federal General hurled his troops 
against the Confederate positions; but it became evident to 
Gen. Johnston that his lines were too slender to hold Pine 
mountain. On June 14th he took Hardee and Polk 
and rode to the top of this mountain to view the situation 
and select a better position. 

327 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE, 

Tlie Federal General, observing the gronp, ordered the 
commander of a battery to fire upon them. Gen. Polk was 
struck in the breast by an nnexploded shell and killed. 
He commanded a corps in the Georgia campaign. His 
death filled the Confederacy with grief, for his character 
was as spotless as his Bishop's robe. All children instinc- 
tively loved him. The Sunday before he was killed, stop- 
ping out of the rain at an humble Georgia home, as he sat 
drying himself by the fire, a little two-year-old girl, far 
from clean, approached him. He took her on his knee at 
once and began singing nursery songs while she smiled 
up in his face. Turning to one of his aids he said .- "I 
wonder if the mother would be offended if I washed this 
child's face; I do so love to kiss the innocents." 

The next morning after Gen. Polk's death, the Federals 
made an advance, and there were battles at several points 
along the line; in a short time the Confederates had to 
abandon Pine mountain, and then give up Lost mountain. 
Gen. Johnston, contracting his line, concentrated his troops 
around Kennesaw mountain. On the 27th of June the 
Federals attacked the entrenched Confederates, when the 
great battle of Kennesaw mountain was fought. It raged 
for five hours, when the enemy recoiled with frightful loss. 
It is said that the next day, from an observation point on 
the mountain, 500 ambulances were counted, removing the 
Federal wounded and dead. 



32S 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1864. 

The country around Allatoona, K'ew Hope chnrch, and 
Kennesaw mountain abounds in hills and irregular ridges, 
divided by ravines or narrow valleys, all covered with for- 
ests and undergrowth. Hence, it was easy for the Federals 
— with an army largely outnumbering the Confederates — 
not only to make flank movements, but to conceal troops 
which were massed to make a rush on weak points. 

When the Confederates were entrenched on Kennesaw, 
and there was so much fighting, thousands of the enemy's 
shells passed high over the mountain, exploding in the air; 
but other thousands fell in the forests, prostrating or tear- 
ing trees to pieces, and carrying destruction almost to the 
suburbs of Marietta. Often a body of (Confederate troops 
would make a dash upon the enemy. Sometimes they 
were successful, sometimes they were repulsed. At the 
battle of Kolb's Farm, where the Confederates assaulted 
an entrenched battery on a high, bare hill, 'after a bloody 
fight they were driven back with the loss of 1,000 men. 

Five days before the great battle of Kennesaw Moun- 
tain, the Confederates, who were having almost constant 
artillery duels with the enemy, opened a furious bombard- 
ment upon the Federal camp and entrenchments below 

329 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

them. The enemy, behind their breastworks, were greatly 
annoyed, and their wagon-trains forced to a disorderly re- 
treat to the rear. When night settled down on the scene, 
the Confederate guns were again opened upon the enemy. 
and in "the wee sma' hours" the darkness was illuminated 
with flashes of light. The rising clouds of smoke were 
made luminous with glare, so that the summit of Kenne- 
saw seemed crowTied with a tiara of fire. One hundred 
and forty guns — all Gen. Sherman could command — were 
brought to bear upon this position before the Confederate 
batteries were silenced. In this battle the Federals made 
a general assault upon the Confederates, and a tremendous 
fire of artillery and musketry Avas kept up continually along 
the entire line, a distance of about ten miles. One of the 
principal efforts of the enemy was against Hardee's corps. 
The attack was met with a cool steadiness, and repulsed with 
an enormous loss to the assailants. 

A stirring episode occurred on little Kennesaw moun- 
tain. A shrapnel shot, with a smoking fuse, passed under 
the headlog and fell among the Confederates in the ditch. 
A stampede instantly commenced, in the midst of which 
a Georgia sergeant leaped forward, seized the shell and 
threw it out of the trench, where the explosion did no harm. 

Just after the Confederates had repulsed a desperate 
assault, the dry leaves in front of Cleburne's entrenchments 
were set on fire by the bombshells and began to burn 
rapidly around the Federal wounded. When this horrible 
catastrophe was observed by the Confederates, their com- 
manders ordered them to cease firing, and one of them 
called out to the nearest Yankee officer that they would 
suspend the battle until the wounded Federals could be 

830 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 

removed, as they were in danger of being burned alive. 
The offer was accepted, and the Confederates assisted in 
rescuing their helpless enemies from the bnrning timbers: 
when they were in a place of safety renewed the fight. 

The battle of Kennesaw monntain, taken in all its de- 
tails, presented a magnificent panorama. The roar of 
cannon and the sharp explosion of shells was so incessant 
that nanght else conld be heard. The blue smoke of the 
muskets marked for miles the line of the Confederate in- 
fantry, while the white smoke of the artillery, like cumulus 
clouds, rose over the mountain. 

After two unsuccessful assaults upon Kennesaw, the Fed- 
eral General, with a strong force, made another fiank move- 
ment towards the Chattahoochee river. Gen. Johnston, 
seeing that his communication with Atlanta would be cut 
off, and knowing his army to be too small to hold his advan- 
tageous position, evacuated both Kennesaw mountain and 
Marietta. To mask this movement, a terrific bombardment 
of the enemy's positions was kept up from the batteries on 
the crest of th^ mountain, while the evacuation was going 
on. Between sundown and dark these batteries and tTie 
last columns of the Confederate army were safely with- 
drawn from the heights which they had so successfully de- 
fended against great odds. 

The Federal commander, thinking that Gen. Johnston's 
army would be in confusion on the retreat, pressed his huge 
columns after the Confederates, to annihilate them, if 
possible. Gen. Johnston had prepared for him, by throw- 
ing up a line of entrenchments, and there was a sharp fight 
at Ruff's Station on the 3d of July. The next day there 
was a battle at Smyrna, where, after quite a struggle, the 

331 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Federals were repulsed. In this battle Gen. Sherman 
came very near losing his life. 

The next strong Federal demonstration was made against 
the Confederate lines near tlie Chattahoochee river, but, 
being met by a heavy fire, they were forced to draw off. 
During the next feAV days. Gen. Sherman, keeping a 
strong' army confronting Gen. Johnston, sent out several 
columns for a number of miles north and south of the Con- 
federate fortifications, and thus secured a crossing over the 
river. 

This manoeuver of the enemy compelled Gen. Johnston 
to give up his position, after fighting at several points. 
Then, with his veterans in buoyant spirits, he, too, crossed 
the river, leaving nothing behind him, and burning the 
railroad bridge; but jSTorth Georgia, alas! was left helpless 
in the clutches of the enemy. 

The Federals showed our people "such mercy as vultures 
have for lambs." Both in Pickens and Dawson counties 
they established a reign of terror and cold-blooded murder. 
Afterwards, Young's Mounted Battalion cfi Georgians was 
detailed for special service in the northeast part of the 
State, which was subject to frequent Yankee raids. The 
sufferings of the people were intense ! When they had 
divided their slender supply of food with the hungry Con- 
federate cavalry, the stores were soon exhausted, and some 
of the wealthiest citizens had to live on dry bread. 

Early in July, the two liostile armies, almost in sight of 
Atlanta, rested for two weeks. Gen. Jolmston, with a 
greatly inferior force, had been fighting Gen. Sherman for 
seventy-four consecutive days; had checked, foiled and 
balked him at various points; had killed and woimded of 

332 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

the enemy a number equal to liis whole army;. Cliicka- 
manga, Kinggold, liesaca, New Hope chm-ch, and Kenne- 
saw mountain had become historic names. 

From the Chattahoochee river, he fell back to his forti- 
fications in front of Atlanta, which was in as good a state of 
defense as our means permitted. Before active operations 
were again resumed, he was relieved of the command of his 
army, Gen. Hood succeeding him. 

Gen. Sherman arranged his army in a semicircle on the 
north and east of Atlanta; the possible fall of the ''Gate 
City" was now contemplated for the first time, and the situ- 
ation produced intense anxiety all through the Confed- 
eracy. 

In this grave crisis. Gov. Brown zealously aided the Con- 
federate Generals in every way possible. He had organ- 
ized over 10,000 of the militia imder Gen. Gustavus W. 
Smith, and they were placed in the trenches at Atlanta sub- 
ject to Gen. Hood's orders. At this time. Gen. Toombs 
was chief of staff to Gen. Smith. Not willing to remain 
idle when his State was invaded, he, one of Georgia's great- 
est statesmen, had actually joined the militia as a private 
and reported for duty to Gen, Wayne. 

While all was life, movement and excitement around 
Atlanta, the black and charred timbers lying along the 
State Road presented a dreary spectacle. The towns along 
this railroad were almost deserted, and the large hotels 
and stores that remained standing had doors off the hinges, 
window glass broken, and the contents, from garret to cel- 
lar, removed. Away from the railroad, "winding your 
way through the forest, the ravine, or the open country, the 
utter loneliness, the lack of human life struck one with a 

333 



GEOEGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

feeling of desolation. The fences were gone, the houses 
were destroyed or deserted; the bubbling spring by the 
roadside had no happy child drinking or .paddling in the 
branch. No sheep ^'azed in the field, no cattle browsed in 
the woods; not even the crowing of a cock was heard. The 
beediive was deserted by its once busy tenants, and the 
ruined mill was still. So startling was the utter silence 
that even when a wild bird caroled a note, one looked 
around surprised that, amidst such loneliness, any living 
thing could be happy." 

Several counties were so laid waste by the invaders that 
the Legislature made appropriations to feed the destitute 
inhabitants. 

Gen. Hood, believing that his only chance to hold At- 
lanta was to force the enemy to accept battle, left his en- 
trenchments and attacked the Federals on Peachtree Creek 
on the afternoon of the 20th of July. The battle lasted 
five hours and was very bloody. Gen. Hood was repulsed, 
after having lost 5,000 men. The Federal loss was small. 

Nothing daunted by this defeat, the next night Gen. 
Hood moved out on the Federal left, and on the 22d the 
battle of Atlanta was fought. It lasted from 11 a. m. until 
night, being the fiercest engagement of the campaign. 
Gen. Wheeler's cavalry did noble fighting, and Gen. 
Hardee inspired his men to strike valorous blows for his 
native State. This battle checked the enemy's movements 
upon the communications of the Confederate army, but 
accomplished nothing otherwise, and cost heavily in the 
loss of ofiicers and men. Ainong the distinguished slain 
was that brave and noble Georgian, Gen. Wm. H. T. 
Walker, who fell pierced through the heart by a Minie ball. 

334 



THE WAR BETWEE^^ THE STATES. 

Col. John ]\I. Brown, a brother of our Governor, was mor- 
tally wounded. 

Among the saddest incidents of this battle were the deaths 
of ''the hero brothers," Capt. Joseph Clay Habersham, only 
twenty-three years old, and private Wm. ISTeyle Haber- 
sham, twenty years old. During the afternoon Capt. 
Habersham was riding in front of the 46th Georgia, assist- 
ing its gallant colonel in leading his men. Waving his 
sword in one hand and his hat in the other, he advanced 
within a short distance of the enemy, then, leaping from 
his horse, he rushed forward, cheering on the men and still 
waving his sword. In a few minutes one of the enemy's 
shells burst near him, and he fell mortally wounded. A 
comrade ran to his assistance to whom he said : "Tell my 
mother I die happy — I die at my post, defending my 
country." 

As his brave young spirit winged its flight from earth, 
shouts of victory were ringing upon the air. 

Later in the afternoon, his young brother, William, of 
the 54th Georgia, whom he had loved and watched over 
with almost a mother's devotion, heard a rumor of his death 
in the midst of the fight. He stepped out of ranks to in- 
quire of an officer if the dreadful news was true ; receiving 
an answer in the affirmative, he resumed his place in the 
line, biting his lips until the blood came, in his endeavor to 
suppress the tears that were blinding him. When his regi- 
ment had helped to dislodge the enemy from two lines of 
^entrenchments, the command was given to halt. Our sol- 
diers, protected behind a breastwork, were within thirty 
yards of the foe. Whenever a Yankee showed himself 
.above his fortifications, a few daring spirits, among whom 

335 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

was "Willie" Habersham, continued their firing. Their 
comrades expostulated with them, but in vain. At last a 
friend caught "Willie" by the arm, exclaiming: "Lie do^vn. 
my boy, there is no use in exposing yourself in this man- 
ner." ^ 

He replied : "I have three rounds left; they have killed 
my brother." 

A moment later a bullet struck him, and, with his face 
to the foe, he fell dead without a groan, and went to join 
the brother he idolized. These two young men were worthy 
of the name they bore, and no truer gentlemen nor braver 
soldiers fell that day. 

"They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in 
their death they were not divided." 



33S 



CHAPTER XL. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1864. 

After the battle of Atlanta, Gen. Sherman sent out vari- 
ous expeditions, for the most part composed of cavalry, to 
destroy the railroads by which supplies and re-inforcements 
could reach the city. Two of his Generals, Stoneman and 
McCook, were to make raids, do all the mischief possible, 
and then meet on the Macon road. The former had 5,000 
men, and the latter somewhat less. Their soldiers were 
well equipped and supplied with cannon, caisson, horses 
and wagons. 

When Stoneman reached Clinton, in Jones county, Ma- 
con was instantly awake to the situation. The militia were 
mustered; the citizens, including ministers and editors, 
shouldered their guns, and lads twelve and fourteen years 
of age begged for places in the ranks. Gen. Howell Cobb 
was in command of the forces and acted under the sugges- 
tions of Gen. Johnston, late commander of the Confederate 
army in Georgia. So, when Macon was attacked. Gen. 
Cobb, leading his extemporized army, with Gen. Johnston 
riding at his right hand, was ready for the foe and beat 
them back. 

22g 337 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The main body of Stoneman's raiders retreated towards 
Clinton, but a detachment of them was sent do^vn the rail- 
road. Dense columns of smoke, ascending to heaven, 
marked their course as they burnt trains, bridges and sta- 
tion-houses. 

As Sunday dawned, Stoneman found himself confronted 
by Gen. Iverson, who had followed him from Atlanta, and 
there was a fierce engagement at Sunshine church, in which 
the Confederates were successful. Stoneman was sur- 
rounded and, further flight being impossible, he was com- 
pelled to surrender, with 600 men, twenty-five officers, and 
all his cannon, colors, wagons and supplies. The rest of 
his command broke away, but were closely followed by 
Confederate cavalry through field and forest. Many of 
them were picked up in parties of ten, twenty or thirty, and 
carried as prisoners to Macon. Very few of them ever re- 
turned to Gen. Sherman, and this was Stoneman's last raid. 
The citizens of Macon wished to give Gen. Iverson's com- 
mand a complimentary dinner, but their stay in the city 
w^as too short for the purpose to be carried out. 

A party of Stoneman's soldiers, who escaped from the 
battle-field in Jones county, passed through Milledgeville 
with prudent speed, taking Eatonton and Madison in their 
route. When they were away from towns protected by 
Home Guards, they did all the damage they could com- 
patible with their own safety. In unprotected neighbor- 
hoods large quantities of grain and provisions were de- 
stroyed. Stoneman's object was to lay waste and bum, 
and they were carrying out his order?. They accomplished 
very little in the way of injuring public property, only 
burning a few cars and tearing up some miles of railroad 

338 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

track; but where they found a liouse occupied only by 
women, if it looked promising for plunder, they entered 
it with bluster and insults, pointing loaded pistols at the 
trembling inmates, and demanded money or jewelry in the 
tones of highway robbers. They did great damage about 
High Shoals and AVatkinsville, and every one of them 
had his pockets filled with stolen goods. 

As these raiders were making their way to Athens, tiiey 
were met at the Paper Mill, four miles west of town, By a 
company of artillery, with two small cannon conveniently 
planted on a hill, and the Home Guards — all commanded 
by Edward P. Lumpkin, a captain of artillery, who was at 
home on sick furlough. He was a son of the first Chief 
Justice of Georgia. 

The Home Guards of Athens w\is composed of old men 
and chronic invalids whom some witty veteran facetiously 
called "The Thunderbolts." 

As the Yankees came down the road to the Paper Mill, 
shot and shell were poured into their ranks. They did not 
pause to make any attack, but, flanking Athens, kept to 
the west. Many witticisms were launched at "Thie Thun- 
derbolts," but it could not be denied that they had helped 
to save "the classic city" from the horrors of a Yankee 
raid. 

It was now early in August, and, through the long, 
sunny days, these raiders made all the speed possible, hop- 
ing that they would finally be able to join their main army 
near Atlanta. A futile hope, for when they reached the 
line of Jackson and Gwinnett counties, half way between 
King's tan-yard and Price bridge over the Mulberry river, 
about six miles from Winder, they found themselves con- 

339 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

fronted by Williams' Kentucky brigade, and were forced 
to fight. They were defeated and 430 of them captured. 
A few escaped and scattered like wild sheep over Jackson 
county, but most of them were eventually captured. 

The Jackson county Home Guards were engaged in this 
battle. They were commanded by Dr. Ange De Lapriere, 
who, as a mere youth, had fought for his adopted State 
against the Indians, and was also a gallant soldier in the 
Mexican war. 

The prisoners from the battle of King's tan-yard were 
brought to Athens, guarded by Col. Wm. C. P. Breckin- 
ridge. Athens was a small town then, with no accommo- 
dation for so many prisoners; so they were put on the 
college campus and guarded. That was the best that could 
be done for them, as the college buildings were full of 
refugees — women and children who had been forced to 
quit their homes. 

The Kentnckians received a perfect ovation in Athens, 
and a banquet was given them in the college chapel. 
Among the ladies, the gallant Col. Breckinridge was the 
hero of the occasion. Dr. A. A. Lipscomb, chancellor of 
the University, made the speech of welcome, which was re- 
sponded to by Capt. Given Campbell, of the 2d Kentucky 
Regiment. Among the Kentuckians at this memorable 
dinner was J. C. C. Black, who afterwards became an hon- 
ored adopted son of Georgia and one of her representatives 
in Congress. 

Old Franklin College heard strange music that day, and 
novel sights were seen within its scholastic walls. While 
the captured raiders were lying about on the grass, or stand- 
ing under the trees, the chapel was echoing with earnest 

340 



THE AVAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

words of welcome, clothed in the most chaste and elegant 
English; heartfelt thanks with soldierly brevity; fiery, 
patriotic speeches; the jingling of spurs, the rattling of 
swords; the merry converse of belted knights and fair 
dames; the clicking of knives and forks, and the hurry of 
busy citizens "on hospitable thoughts intent," constantly 
pressing their attentions upon Kentucky's gallant sons. 

In another day the honored and loved Confederate sol- 
diers, with their prisoners, had departed, and the pretty 
town on the right bank of the Oconee returned to its usual 
routine. 

While almost the entire command of Stoneman was cap- 
tured, it was otherwise with McCook's. He stretched his 
forces out like a net over the country, but in such a manner 
that, when they were attacked, the wings could be drawn 
in and his whole strength concentrated. They, too, were 
surrounded by the Confederates, but broke through and 
escaped, though Gen. Wheeler utterly destroyed that por- 
tion of their cavalry which was at Newnan. So, Gen. 
Sherman's plans were frustrated at all points in these two 
raids, and his cavalry did not unite at the Macon and West- 
ern railroad, as was intended. 

Wliile these events were transpiring, (len. Sherman had 
moved his army over to the west side of Atlanta. Hood 
had here attacked him on the 2Sth of July and fought the 
battle of Ezra church — another bloody, brilliant, unsuccess- 
fnl attempt upon the enemy's lines. During the first week 
in August the Federal General, Schofield, attacked Gen. 
Hood's line, but was driven back with a loss of four hun- 
dred men. This was Gen. Hood's first success since he had 
taken command of the army. 

341 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

For some time Atlanta had been virtually in a state 
of siege, and shot and shell were thrown from the enemy's 
batteries into the very heart of the city. Private houses 
and stores were daily struck and greatly damaged. People 
who lived in the more exposed parts of the city occupied 
basements and cellars; and some few had to burrow for 
safety in holes on the sides of railroad cuts. In the city 
limits there was confusion and misery ; around it, the scenes 
of slaughter and carnage were appalling ! 

Our raw militia, who had seen service for the first time 
in this campaign, acted nobly ! Both Gens. Johnston and 
Hood had written to Gov. Bro^vn complimenting the 
staunchness and efficiency of the Georgia State troops. 



34J 



CHAPTER XLI. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1864. 

When Gen. Sherman found that Athanta could not be 
taken by direct assault, he seized the opportunity of Gen. 
Wheeler's cavalry being sent to cut the State Road above 
him, to march his main army to Jonesboro, twenty miles 
south of Atlanta; leaving, however, a large force to hold 
his entrenched position at the railroad bridge over the 
Chattahoochee river. 

Two corps, under Hardee, were sent to Jonesboro to 
confront him; but the attack was unsuccessful, the Confed- 
erates retiring after great slaughter on both sides. That 
night, Gen. Hood withdrew a part of Gen. Hardee's com- 
mand, so, the next day, September 1st, he was obliged to 
retreat to Lovejoy's, seven miles further south. Late that 
afternooh he was attacked by the enemy, when a frightful 
battle ensued. Hardee's command, fighting against odds, 
held their position until night, and won immortal renown; 
but the Federal General had accomplished his object — the 
main body of his army was between Gen. Hardee and At- 
lanta. 

343 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The Confederate Generals now deemed it necessary to 
evacuate that city. Among several reasons for this con- 
clusion, one v\^as that owing to the obstinately cruel policy 
of the Federal Government in I'efusing on any terms to 
exchange prisoners, upwards of 30,000 Yankees were con- 
fined at Andersonville, in the southwestern part of our 
State; to guard against their release. Gen. Hood thought it 
necessary to place his army between them and the enemy. 
So, abandoning Atlanta, he formed a junction with Gen. 
Hardee. 

Gen. Sherman at once left his position and returned 
to Atlanta, which was formally surrendered on September 
2d by the Mayor, James M. Calhoun. Gen. Sherman 
promised that non-combatants and private property should 
be respected. 

Thus, by overwhelming numbers and boundless re- 
sources, did the Federal army reach Atlanta, capturing it — 
as they did Dalton, Resaca and Kennesaw — by a flank 
movement. 

Three days afterwards, Gen. Shernum, ignoring his 
promise, and under the pretense that "the exigencies of 
the service" required that the city be used exclusively for 
military purposes, issued an order that all civilians, male 
and female, should leave within five days. This atrocious 
order involved the immediate expulsion from their homes 
of hundreds of unoif ending women and children, whose hus- 
bands and fathers had been killed in battle, or were in the 
army, or languishing in northern prisons. In vain did the 
mayor in piteous language represent "the woe, the horror, 
and the suffering not to be described by words" which the 
execution of his order would inflict. Gen. Sherman's reply 

344 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

was: ''My orders were not designed to meet the human- 
ities of the case." 

An English historian, writing of this incident, says it 
may have been effective, ''but since the Thirty Years War 
such methods have been excluded from the practice of 
Christian belligerents." 

At the appointed time, delicate women, tottering age 
and helpless infancy were expelled from their homes, and 
the Federal soldiers who were sent to guard them until they 
passed within Confederate lines, robbed many of them of 
the few articles of value which they had been permitted to 
carry with them. The highwayman doubtless thinks that 
the "exigencies" of the occasion require him to transfer 
the traveller's money to his own pocket, but this does not 
justify such action in the eyes of the world. 

Such of the exiles as had nowhere to go, were taken to 
Terrell county and quartered at ''Exile Camp," near Daw- 
son, Three hundred of them were supported by the State. 

In the Revolutionary war, when the British expelled 
women and children from Boston, our State, in tender pity, 
sent provisions to the hungry, houseless wanderers; now, 
when Gen. Sherman turned Atlanta women out of their 
homes, Massachusetts applauded the act. 

In the meantime, Gen. Hood continued to hold his troops 
in the vicinity of Jonesboro, and Gen. Sherman made no 
movement beyond strengthening the defenses in and 
around Atlanta, and collecting a large quantity of military 
supplies in that city. 

Towards the last of September, Gen. Hood abandoned 
his position, and, with his entire force, crossed the Chatta- 
hoochee river, moving against the State Road — which was 

345 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

the enemy's line of communication. Ilis successes at Big 
Shanty and Acworth, in capturing those stations and de- 
stroying the raih'oad between them, forced Gen. Sherman 
to follow him, after leaving Atlanta well garrisoned. 

The first week in October, the Confederate Gen. S. G. 
French made a desperate assault upon Allatoona Pass, 
wdiicli the Federals had strongly fortified, and at which 
place they had stored a large quantity of provisions. He 
was partially successful, and only failed because his supply 
of powder was inadequate. The deep cut through which 
the State Road runs at this point was strewn with dead and 
w^ounded men. As soon as Gen. French learned that Fed- 
■eral reinforcements were rapidly approaching he re- 
treated. 

An incident connected with this battle illustrates how 
dear to the heart of Georgians is the Confederate soldier. 
In the deep, fern-lined pass at Allatoona, quite near the 
railroad track, on the west side, is a lonely grave where a 
nameless Confederate sleeps. He was buried where he 
fell; and now a marble headstone marks the spot. The 
track hands of the State Road have charged themselves with 
the care of this solitary grave, keeping it free from rubbish 
and seeing that the stones at the head and foot are kept 
firmly set. 

G<en. Hood succeeded fiu-ther in destroying the railroad 
from Resaca to Tunnel Hill, and capturing the enemy's 
posts at Tilton, Dalton and Mill Creek Gap. Then, fear- 
ing to risk a general engagement with the Federal army, he 
withdrew his forces into Alabama, and Georgia was thus 
left at the mercy of the invaders, without an anny to defend 
her. 

346 



THE AVAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

In this emergency, the entire militia was called out, and 
'''Joe Broom's Pets" won a giorioiis name. At two or three 
points there was a handful of Confederate troops, but the 
force was wholly insufficient to do any effective service. 
Georgia's veterans were almost all in other States, whose 
firesides they had been defending for over three years. 
Georgia's protectors now were old men and young boys; 
it was said that our State robbed both the cradle and the 
grave, as beardless youths, and grandsires bending under 
the weight of years, joined the ranks to defend their loved 
State from the invaders. Alas ! that such devotion was not 
crowned with success ! 

When Gen. Hood left Georgia, Gen. Sherman was re- 
lieved from the necessity of defending himself against an 
active army and protecting a long line of railroad, so he 
returned to Atlanta. From the rapidity vnth. which he 
had for some time been collecting soldiers and supplies 
in the city, the Confederates kneAV that he contemplated 

a movement further south. 

« 

On A"oveml)er IGth, Gen. Sherman left his entrench- 
ments around Atlanta, having first destroyed the city by 
fire. That any residences or churches were left standing 
was due to Father O'Riley, a Catholic priest. When the 
eity was first captured and Federal officers were looking for 
comfortable quarters, he had refused to give up his house, 
and a party of Catholics — of whom there were large num- 
bers in Sherman's army — volunteered to protect the resi- 
dence and church of the priest against their comrades. 
Hence, they would not permit a house in that neighborhood 
to be set on fire, lest the Catholic property should be endan- 
gered. Out of 5,000 houses, only about 400 were left stand- 

347 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

ing. The city was a desolate ruin. Its eemetery had before 
this been desecrated in every way — horses were tnrned 
loose to graze upon the grass and shrnbbery, monuments 
were broken and scattered around, coffins were taken from 
the vaults, the silver name-plates and tippings stolen, and 
Federal dead were deposited there. Similar acts of van- 
dalism had marked the progress of Sherman's army at 
Rome, which had been partly Inirned, and at Kingston, 
Acworth and Marietta. 

When (Jen. Sherman left Atlanta, he had an army of 
60,000 men, exclusive of cavalry and artillery; and no 
equipment was lacking that could enhance their comfort, 
power and efficiency. Such were the physical peculiarities 
of Georgia that there existed only occasional and partial 
obstacles to a rapid and successful march through the in- 
terior; in fact, there were no obstacles that could not be 
easily overcome by his pontoon trains and pioneer corps. 
He divided his army into two columns, one following the 
railroad towards Augusta, and the other taking the road to 
Jonesboro. At first, the Federals advanced compactly and 
with extreme caution; afterw^ards they presented a front 
that varied from thirty to sixty miles in extent, amply 
guarded by cavalry. Sherman cloaked his real design by 
well conceived feints, so that for some time his objective 
point was not suspected. 

Before Gen. Hood aband(ine(l Georgia, Gen. Hardee had 
been sent to Savannah and placed in command of the troops 
there; a few soldiers were at Augusta, and Gens. Howell 
Cobb and Gustavus Smith concentrated the State troops 
near Griffin; but all the forces in Georgia were too few to 
do more than skirmish with this powerful army of invasion. 

348 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

At this time, Gen. Beauregard was in command of the 
Military Division of the West, in which Georgia was in- 
cluded. "The once mighty armies of the Southern Con- 
federacy had been greatly reduced by sickness, poverty, 
wounds and death." When her brave defenders had been 
gathered to their patriot graves there had been none to 
stand in their places; so now but a handful could be spared 
to aid Georgia in her extremity. 

As the Federal army advanced, the Georgia troops fell 
back in front of it. Their first resistance was made on the 
2 2d of November at Griswoldville, ten miles frorii Macon. 

The Federal General, Walcott, was demonstrating to- 
wards Macon ; but, when he had erected barricades and tem- 
porary works of considerable strength at Griswoldville, he 
was attacked by Gen. Cobb with that portion of the Geor- 
gia reserves who were at Macon, and quite a bloody en- 
counter took place. The militia, some of whom were mere 
youths, behaved with distinguished gallantry, acting like 
veterans and facing the destructive fire of the enemy with 
as much firmness as could have been displayed by the heroes 
of Lee or Hood. They advanced through an open field to 
within fifty yards of the enemy's breastworks, in perfect 
order and -with no straggling, and maintained their ground 
until commanded to withdraw. The Athens battalion, 
composed of the workmen from tlie armory, under ]\[aj. 
Cook, and Maj. Jackson's Augusta battalion, behaved in 
the same cool and steady manner. In this fight, the Fed- 
eral General was wounded and several hundred of his men 
killed. 

Considering the forces employed, and the valor dis- 
played, the engagement at Griswoldville is justly entitled 

3-19 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

to a place among tlie heroic tights of the war. But, how- 
ever great the honor reflected upon onr arms, this battle 
had no effect in checking the movements of the ruthless 
invaders. It entailed a loss of men on our side w^hich could 
be ill sustained in this time of scarcity of troops, and in no 
wise crippled the enemy, who were supported by a large 
force in their rear. It was clearly demonstrated, however, 
that if Georgia could have mustered an army even half the 
size of Sherman's, he never could have penetrated into the 
heart of our beloved State. 



350 



CHAPTER XLII. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 

1864. 

When the Federal army left Atlanta, one of Shennan's 
commanders of a corps, Gen. Slocum, marched immediately 
to Decatur, and thence to Stone Mountain — a vast elevation 
of granite towering above the surrounding country, and 
forming one of the wonders of the world. A picturesque 
village of the same name nestles at the foot of the moun- 
tain. From here he went to Social Circle, tore up all the 
railroad track from there to Madison, burnt the railroad 
bridge across the Oconee river near Greensboro, and then, 
turned south, marching directly towards Georgia's capital. 

Gen. Slocum reached Milledgeville on the 23d of Ko- 
vember, and took possession of the town and the bridge 
across the Oconee, while another body of Federals,' \vith 
Kilpatrick's cavalry, were massed in and around Gordon, 
on the Central railroad. Georgia had learned by woful 
experience that when a town was in the hands of the enemy 
it meant untold suffering for the non-combatants; so, when 
the news spread that the Yankees were coming, the con- 
sternation in ]\Iilledgeville and the surrounding country 
was excessive. The Legislature was in session at the time. 
Two-thirds of them were disabled soldiers, or gTay-haired 

351 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

sires with sons in the Confederate army. Their feeble 
right arms could do their beloved State no good, and if 
they were captured, the horrors of a Yankee prison would 
cut short their days— so the evil tidings excited them as 
much as it did the citizens. When the news was received 
they had just adjourned for dinner; their papers were left 
on their desks at the State House, and they never returned 
to look after them. The whole city was in a turmoil. 
Fabulous prices were paid for vehicles of any kind; even 
the roughest plantation wagons were in demand. Some 
of the legislators took the train that was going in an oppo- 
site direction from the invaders, and others, in private con- 
veyances, reached their homes by unfrequented routes. 

Gov. Brown, thinking first of the valuable and perishable 
State property, ordered Gen. Ira Foster, Georgia's quarter- 
master-general (who was alwaj's prompt and efficient), to 
secure its removal. Some of the books and other similar 
property were stored in the Lunatic Asylum, three miles 
out of town. A train of cars was held at the depot to carry 
off other State property, and Gen. Foster made herculean 
efforts to carry out the Go^'ernor's orders, luit, such was 
the general terror and the rush to leave town, it was next 
to impossible to procure labor. 

When the Governor saw the condition of affairs, he went 
to the penitentiary, had the convicts drawn up in a line, 
and made them a short speech; he appealed to their patriotic 
pride and offered pardon to each one who would help re- 
move the State property and then enlist for the defense 
of Georgia. They responded promptly, were put imder 
the command of Gen. Foster, and did valuable service in 
loading the train. When that was done each one was 



THE WAK BETWEEN THE STATES. 

given a suit of gray, and a gun, and they were formed into 
a military company of which one of their number was cap- 
tain. They were ordered to report for duty to Gen. 
Wayne, who was commanding a small battalion of militia 
at Milledgeville and also the Georgia cadets from the 
Military Institute at Marietta. A few convicts, sentenced 
for murder, were not included in Gov. Brown's offer, and 
were sent to Southwest Georgia for safe keeping until Sher- 
man left the State. Gen. Wayne accepted the convict 
company and carried them with him to Savannah, as he re- 
treated in advance of Sherman's army; they helped to strike 
a blow at Georgia's foes whenever there was an opportunity. 
Some of them deserted, but a great majority did faithful 
duty during the campaign, and won an honorable discharge. 

Gov. Brown, the heads of the Departments of State, and 
Gen. Wayne, did not leave Milledgeville until Gen. Foster, 
after twenty-four hours' hard work, reported that the most 
valuable part of the State property was on the train. Then 
they boarded it with him, and the engine pulled out of the 
town but a short while before the Federals entered it. The 
"Local Guard" also left; so the few old men who could not 
or Avould not go, and the noble women, were left to submit 
to whatever insults and tyrannies the enemy saw fit to 
inflict. 

The penitentiary had been used for making guns for the 
Confederacy, so it was burned to the ground ; but no other 
public building was destroyed. Perhaps the Federals were 
too much interested in robbing the rich planters in the 
vicinity, to care for anything else. They strolled about in 
small parties, frequently unarmed. A few resolute cav- 

23g 353 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

alrjmen could have captured hundreds of them; but 
Wheeler's command was doing good work elsewhere, and 
none of them could be spared. 

The great mass of the papers in the State House could 
not be removed, as the Governor had little time to collect 
them, and but limited means of transportation. The Yan- 
kees took them from their places of deposit, scattered them 
all over the floor of the State House and the grounds around 
the building, and used large quantities of them to kindle 
fires — an irreparable loss, as many old documents and 
letters of the previous fifty years were destroyed. 

This portion of Sherman's army remained in Milledge- 
ville from Sunday until the following Friday morning, 
which gave them ample time to pillage the surrounding 
country for miles, and burn several private residences. 
From the time Sherman's army entered Georgia, when his 
soldiers were not otherwise engaged, they amused them- 
selves with petty larceny and general plunder, each on his 
own account. Now, as usual, robbery of every kind and 
in every degree was the order of the day. Scenes of 
plunder were perpetrated in the presence of officers, and 
when they were asked to protect private property, they 
insultingly answered that they "intended that every South- 
erner should feel that it was expensive to be a rebel." It 
was characteristic of our enemies to put a money value on 
everything, even on patriotism — one of the holiest senti- 
ments of the human heart. The Yankees acted as if they 
considered it a great crime to hide any valuables from 
them. Hiding, indeed, did little good, for they had had 
so much experience in stealing, since they invaded Geor- 

354 



T^E WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

gia, that they had become the most adroit thieves ever 
heard of, knowing exactly where to look for hidden treas- 
ures. Their officers rarely exercised any restraint over 
them in this respect, but set the example of stealing. Enter- 
ing houses in which there was no one but women and chil- 
dren, they broke open draw^ers and trunks, and stole jewelry 
and silverware of every description. In some instances 
rings were stripped from ladies' fingers, and breastpins 
torn from their dresses. Sham guards were sometimes 
posted around houses at the importunate entreaties of the 
mmates; but the guard, and the officer who commanded 
it, would straightway fall to work and sack the premises. 
While in Milledgeville, they choked a prominent Hebrew- 
gentleman to force him to tell where his money was con- 
cealed. When a lady refused to play the piano at the dic- 
tation of a party of them, they stripped off her clothing, sat 
her by force on the piano-stool, and pricked her with bay- 
onets until she played. 

The damage to property and the loss by stealage in all 
this region was immense. The enormities perpetrated 
here would fill a volume. The conduct of the Federals in 
and around Milledgeville w^as not exceptional; they were 
in high glee, and seemed to think they had done grand 
deeds in warring on Avomen and children, but the spirit of 
Georgia women was unconquerable, as they discovered. 

As the invaders advanced into the interior of our State, 
they destroyed almost every foot of railroad in their path, 
and telegraph communication was so much interrupted that 
the Press was left almost wholly dependent upon rumor for 
any news. 



3c5 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

When Gen. Wayne left Milledgeville with his small com- 
mand, he was placed as a guard at the railroad bridge over 
the Oconee, some miles below Macon. There he was joined 
by Gen. Wheeler, who, from the time Gen. Sherman left 
Atlanta, had daringly and persistently harassed his army 
whenever it was practicable. A battle took place at this 
bridge, and the enemy were held in check for two or three 
days. The Georgia cadets, a noble band of boys, acquitted 
themselves gallantly. Among them was a youth of sixteen 
summers, the eldest son of Gov. Brown. A day or so be- 
fore the fight took place, his father had told him that he 
w^ould have to escort his mother and the children to South- 
Avest Georgia to some place of safety, as he (the Governor) 
must remain in jVlacon with the troops. 

The brave little lad said that he would obey his father, 
but he had rather die than to leave his comrades and fail 
to share the common danger. So the Governor made some 
other arrangement for his family, and his son went forward 
with the cadets. In the battle one of his comrades was 
shot down by his side. 

On the 29 th of November there was a fight near Waynes- 
boro, between Gen. Wheeler and tlie Eederal cavalry under 
Kilpatrick. Our soldiers gave them a good drubbing, hav- 
ing arrived just in time to prevent them from burning the 
town. 

Gen. Wheeler also fought the enemy hotly at Sanders- 
ville and Buckhead creek. Tavo thousand of his men often 
charged and routed more than double their number. The 
Federal soldiers had been falsely informed by their officers 
that Gen. Wheeler took no prisoners, which caused them 
to fight with desperation and to run very dangerous gaunt- 

356 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

lets to escape capture; this fact frequently accounted for 
the large proportion of their killed. 

Gen. "Wheeler is entitled to a place on the roll of great 
cavalry leaders. Operating on all sides of Sherman's col- 
umns, he kept our government and all our commanders 
advised of the enemy's movements, defended towns and 
villages along the railroad lines, afforded protection to de- 
pots of supplies and to government works, darted upon the 
,enemy and defeated exposed detachments, and saved thou- 
sands of dollars worth of property from the torch. 



£57 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 
1864. 

When Gen. Sherman abandoned his base at Atlanta, it 
was very soon perceived that he was pointing his banners 
towards the coast. It was supposed that Angnsta would 
be his first objective point, as it appeared probable that he 
would endeavor to destroy its valuable powder mill and 
other government works. Gen. George W. Raines, an 
accomplished soldier and military engineer, who had con- 
structed and operated these works, was instructed to enlarge 
and strengthen the defense of the city; in case of attack, 
Gen. Howell Cobb would have ready the militia, the invalid 
soldiers, and any others who were available to defend it. 

Gen. Gustavus AV. Smith and his militia were on their 
way there, when, halting at IMacon for further orders, they 
took part in the brilliant engagement at Griswoldville. 
Tn the meantime, the Central railroad having fallen into 
the possession of the enemy. Gen. Smith's command could 
not get to Augusta, so were sent to Savannah. When 
they reached Albany, they had to walk across the country 
to Thomasville, between fifty and sixty miles; the means of 
transportation between there and Savannah were so insufii- 
cient, that it was necessary for a part of the command to 
await the return of the train. 

558 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Before Gen. Siiiith left the cars, when he arrived at 
Savannah, he received an order from Gen. Hardee to pro- 
ceed without a moment's delay to Grahamville, in South 
Carolina, to repel an advance of the Federals, who were 
seeking to cut the railway communication between Charles- 
ton and Savannah. It was absolutely necessary to retain 
this railroad in order to hold Savannah. Over it re-in- 
forcements were expected, and over it the garrison must 
retreat in the event that it became necessary to evacuate 
the city. Gen. Hardee had no troops that could be de- 
tailed for this important service, except two Confederate 
regiments from Charleston, and he feared they would arrive 
too late for the emergency. There was no time to lose, and 
Gen. Smith was urged to go and hold the enemy in check. 
He was told that several thousand troops from North and 
South Carolina, who were on their way to re-inforce the 
garrison at Savannah, would arrive at Grahamville in time 
to insure the repulse of the enem3^ l^o legal obligations 
rested upon Gen. Smith and his soldiers to go beyond the 
limits of Georgia, whose territory alone they were in- 
structed to defend; but when he realized that the battle 
for the salvation of Savannah was to be fought on the in- 
stant and on Carolina soil, he had an interview with his 
Lieutenant-General, and became satisfied that if he obeyed 
Gen. Hardee his course would be right. So he issued the 
proper orders, and reached Grahamville about eight o'clock 
a. m., Wednesday, the 30th of November, -with his men 
almost broken down from fatigue and want of sleep. 

Gen. Hatch, of the Federal army, had conceived the 
design of occupying the Charleston and Savannah railroad 
to aid Gen. Sherman, who was known to be seeking the 

359 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

coast at some convenient point. By isolating Savannah, he 
would enable Gen. Sherman, without hazard, to cross the 
Savannah river at any point below Augusta, and open com- 
munication with Port Royal, in South Carolina — at that 
time the principal Federal depot on the South Atlantic 
coast. Gen. Hatch had 5,000 men of all arms, including 
a brigade froin the navy. 

These Federals landed at Boyd's Neck early on the 
morning of the 29th of ISTovember, and spent the entire 
day entrenching themselves at a point only half a mile 
from where they disembarked. So they were not worn by 
a long journey, like the Georgia militia. 

The only Confederate force at Grahamville was a part 
of a squadron of South Carolina cavalry. All available 
troops had been sent into the interior to oppose Gen. Sher- 
man's expected advance. Col. Colcock, the district com- 
mander, was fifty miles away, having field works erected 
at the principal crossings of the Savannah river. He only 
reached Grahamville an hour before Gen. Smith was on 
the ground. 

The Confederate line of battle extended from the Honey 
Hill road (on which the right wing of the little army 
rested), in a semi-circular form, through an open pine-barren 
to the Coosawhatchie road. Half way between Bolan's 
church and Grahamville a line of breastworks had been 
previously constructed for the use of infantry and field 
artillery. The morning of the 30th was not far advanced 
when news was received that Gen. Hatch was approaching, 
then, that he had passed the church, and finally that he 
was only five miles from town. Col. Colcock rushed up 
the Honey Hill road to meet him, to give Gen, Smith time 
for occupying the breastworks. 

360 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Col. Colcock encountered the head of the Federal column 
on a causeway, one mile and a half in front of the breast- 
works. On his left was an impenetrable swamp, and on 
his right an extensive old field, intersected by numerous 
canals and ditches. When the enemy reached the cause- 
way they were met by an opposing fire from a twelve- 
pounder N^apoleon gun, before which they halted, and, 
after some delay, abandoned the highway. Then they 
detached a considerable force to flank the Confederate posi- 
tion, and commenced marching across the old field. 

Col. Colcock ordered the dry brown sedge — which cov- 
ered the entire field — to be set on fire. A strong wind was 
blowing at the time, and carried a fierce line of fire and 
smoke into the faces of the enemy, before which they pre- 
cipitately retreated, abandoning blankets, haversacks and 
knapsacks. When they got back into the road they soon 
reformed, and again advanced. This time Col. Colcock's 
little command retiijed before them, delaying their progress 
as opportunity offered, until they reached the breastworks 
where the "Georgia Boys'' were ready for them. The 
Confederates had in position, prepared for action, five 
pieces of field artillery, about 1,400 muskets, and a few 
South Carolina cavalry. The Federal force was more than 
three times as numerous. 

The battle began about 10 o'clock a. m., and from that 
time until dark, the enemy made repeated but fruitless 
efforts to carry the Confederate position. When they first . 
formed their line of battle, efforts were made to force the 
center of the Confederate line, and also to turn its flanks. 
This attempt was renewed from time to time during the 
day, resulting in defeat and heavy loss on each occasion. 

361 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The Confederates, in position, bravely lield their ground. 
The 3 2d Georgia Regiment, which constituted a movable 
reserve, acted with great gallantry, always appearing at the 
proper point at the most opportune time. 

The I^derals, perceiving that they could not carry the 
breastworks, began to slacken their fire late in the after- 
noon; then they massed their artillery to cover their retreat, 
and commenced retiring. The next morning found them 
behind their defensive works, near Boyd's Landing, pro- 
tected by Federal gunboats. Their loss in this battle was 
74:6 killed and wounded. The Confederates had only four 
killed and forty wounded. 

The enemy having been beaten back, and the Confeder- 
ate re-inforcements having arrived at Grahamville, the 
fruits of the victory were confirmed and the railroad could 
be held. Under these circumstances, Gen. Smith, seeing 
that the necessity no longer existed for detaining the State 
troops beyond their legal jurisdiction, asked and obtained 
leave from Gen. Hardee to lead his exhausted command 
back to Savannah, where they an-ived at ten o'clock p. m., 
December 1st. 

From this time until the city was evacuated. Gen. Smith 
and his command were posted on the right of the western 
lines of defense, where they rendered efilcient service prior 
to and during the siege. 

It is recorded with pride and satisfaction that the battle 
of Honey Hill, S. C, was fought almost entirely by Geor- 
gia militia; and, also, that the militia of no other State 
fought beyond their own boundaries. Georgia's war record 
is hallowed, and its details are lingered upon with gratifi- 
cation. 

362 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES- 

This victory relieved Savannah from a great danger, 
^vhich, had it not been averted, would have forced its im- 
mediate surrender under perilous circumstances. It also 
]ire?erved the only line of communication by which re-in- 
forcements could arrive, and afforded an avenue of retreat 
when, three weeks later, the garrison withdrew from the 
city. 

In the meantime, as Gen. Sherman held his way through 
the interior of the State, "his route was traced by the burn- 
ing of dwelling-houses, and the wail of women and chil- 
dren, M'ho, having been made homeless, were left to shift 
for themselves. From opulence they were reduced to pov- 
erty and wretchedness. Smoke-houses and granaries were 
also burnt, and miles of beautiful country left a hideous 
picture of desolation." When the enemy had taken all 
the provisions they could eat or carry away, they frequently 
destroved tlie remnant, in very wantonness. 

Upson was at this time one of the ricli^st counties in 
Georgia, and the Yankees swarmed all over it. A widow 
in this county stood helplessly by and saw Sherman's sol- 
diers take all the meat out of her smoke-house, stack it up 
in the back yard, and burn it. At the same time they 
knocked the heads out of the syrup barrels, and their con- 
tents flowed like a branch through the yard. They thus 
destroyed the support of a large number of negroes — the 
race for whom they pretended to have such sympathy ! 
Ladies in this county were forced to live for days on lye- 
hominy. 

AVhile Sherman's army was in Georgia, they not only 
destroyed enormous quantities of food, but burnt grist 
mills, and committed every barbarity that was practised by 

Goths, Vandals and Huns. 

363 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

"About the middle of the fifteenth century, when, en- 
couraged by Pope and Emperor, a desolating war had swept 
over the Palatinate, Priedrich, surnamed the Victorious, 
succeeded at last in scattering the strength of his foes, ob- 
taining a brilliant victory, and getting into his power a 
great number of his enemies. With his victorious army 
and his prisoners, he made a splendid entrance into Heidel- 
berg. He treated his prisoners magnanimously ; and on the 
same day invited the most noble of them to a grand ban- 
quet which he arranged at the castle. The magnificently 
spread table groaned under the weight of fine dishes and 
delicious wines. Only one thing was lacking, and that was 
the most indispensable, bread. 

"The Earl of Wiirtemberg, who had been active in laying 
waste the country, called a servant and bade him fetch 
some bread; but the Elector, Priedrich, took his captive by 
the hand, led him to the window, and said : ^To the war- 
rior who, unmindful of the laws of humanity, devastates 
the fields and wantonly stamps down the seeds and burns 
the mills with the villages, belongs no bread !' " 

Would Gen. Sherman and his invaders ever have tasted 
another morsel of bread, if this sort of justice had been 
meted out to them ? 



364 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

THE WAK BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued ) 
1864. 

A cyclone of popular indignation was raised against Geru 
-Sherman as he led his army through Georgia, and there 
were no ''Union men" left in his track. 

Besides the gentleman who was choked in Milledgeville, 
■other old men — non-combatants who had nothing to do 
with the war, further than to indulge in that sympathy 
which nature prompted — were seized and brutally tortured 
to compel them to deliver up treasure which they were 
. supposed to possess. Judge Hiram Warner was hung until 
life was nearly extinct. It was suspected that he had 
money, and this was what these "truly loyal" "Union Re- 
storers" ^ve^e most eager to secure. A girl eighteen years 
of age was stripped and beaten to force her to tell where 
her uncle, who was also her guardian, had concealed her 
money and his own. It is recorded with pride that this 
tenderly reared Georgia girl endured the torture, but never 
divulged the secret ! "Weak old men and defenseless women 
and children were in some instances driven from their 
homes, their dwellings fired, and these non-combatants sub- 
jected to insults and privations. For years the landscape 
in Sherman's track was disfigured with lone chimneys, 
which were called "Sherman's Sentinels"; they were the 

365 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

only remains of once happy homes. What had these Geor- 
gia women done to be treated with such savage cruelty? 
They had loved Georgia best of all lands; they had worked 
day and night to clothe and feed the Georgia troops in the 
field, who were battling for Georgia's right of self-govern- 
ment; "they had incited their husbands, sons and lovers to 
heroic action, and their sympathy, their sacrifices, their de- 
votion to the cause, the eloquence of their tears and of their 
smiles, were priceless in the inspiration they brought, and 
more effective than an army with banners." 

Gen. Sherman's soldiers turned war into profit on their 
private account. All residences along their line of march 
were subjected to rude search. Money, plate, jewelry and 
other light articles of value were stolen; books, works of 
art, paintings, private manuscripts and family relics were 
destroyed. "Attempting the annihilation of all the neces- 
saries of life, they laid waste whole sections of country. 
Corn cribs, emptied of so much of their contents as sufficed 
to fill the commissary wagons, were often either pulled to 
pieces or burned, and grist, flour and sugar mills shared in 
the common ruin. Horses, mules, cattle and hogs were 
either driven off, shot in the field, or uselessly butchered 
in the pens and lots. Such was the wholesale destruction 
of animal life that the region stank with putrefying car- 
casses, and earth and air were filled with innumerable tur- 
key-buzzards fattening upon their thickly strewn death- 
feasts." 

"Neither orchards nor growing crops were spared, and 
agricultural implements were broken up or carried away. 
Cotton houses, gins, screws and cotton were almost univer- 
sally consumed. County and municipal records of great 

366 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

value were mutilated, temples of worship were impiously 
profaned, and the sanctuaries of the dead brutishly desecra- 
ted!" 

They made extraordinary efforts to stir up servile insur- 
rection, but they failed — the negroes being too much at- 
tached to the families of their owners. In localities not 
overrun by Sherman's soldiers, they remained true to their 
masters; but in the line of their march through the Geor- 
gia plantations, it has been estimated that the Federals se- 
duced from their allegiance not less than ten thousand ne- 
groes. Hundreds of these died of want, smallpox and other 
diseases incident to neglect, privation and the lack of suit- 
able shelter and clothing. 

In Wilkinson county a party of Yankee soldiers hung a 
negro man by the thumb because he would not tell where 
his master had concealed his mules. This negro survived 
his sufferings, and the next year piloted Gen. Toombs 
through the woods when he was a fugitive, after Gen. Lee's 
surrender. 

During Gen. Sherman's unholy crusade, there were some 
horrors committed in peaceful Georgia homes that can not 
be printed. His soldiers seemed to vie with each other in 
acts of violence, insult, outrage, pillage, desolation and 
murder. They were capable of any crime, however mon- 
strous ! 

One of Gen. Sherman's aids. Brevet Major George Ward 
Nichols, records with conspicuous approval in the pages of 
a military history the manner in which "with untiring zeal 
the soldiers hunted for concealed treasures." In a playful 
manner, both with pen and pencil, he describes their habit- 
ual acts of plunder, and humorously terms it "treasure-seek- 
ing." 

367 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

In one of our midland counties, the Yankees, in search- 
ing a house, found that all portable articles of value had 
been removed; a close examination of the yard and garden 
revealed nothing, so they all rode away. In about fifteen 
minutes, a Federal caj)tain was seen galloping hurriedly 
back. He stopped before the door and called to the mis- 
tress of the house to come quickly, his comrades had found 
all her things, and he thought if she would go with him he 
might save some of them. Giving him a grateful look, the 
lady rushed to the place where her silver and other valuable 
articles were hidden in the woods, never stopping until she 
reached the spot, which had not been discovered at all. 
The Federal captain laughed heartily at her misery, when 
she realized his ruse. He thought it a smart Yankee trick, 
and appropriated the treasure. 

It will be remembered that in 1782 Georgia gave Gen. 
Greene, of Kevolutionary fame, a beautiful plantation in 
Chatham county, called "Mulberry Crrove." The historic 
mansion in which he passed the happiest period of his life 
remained standing until destroyed by Sherman's soldiers. 

One of Gen. Howell Cobb's plantations was in their line 
of march, and they burnt all the houses on it except a few 
cabins. They had burnt the houses on Gov. Brown's plan- 
tation as they passed through Cherokee county, before the 
fall of Atlanta. 

"While the Federals were in Georgia they totally de- 
stroyed one-fourth of her railroad tracks and ravaged and 
made a wilderness of ruin over 2,000 square miles of her 
territory. 

Sherman's soldiers would never have dared to commit 
their acts of vandalism without the approval of their offi- 

368 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

cers of the highest rank. The stealing, the house burning, 
the distress of women and the suffering of children* were 
open, avowed and notorious ! 

Gen. Sherman complacently and boastfully announced 
to his government that eighty million dollars worth of the 
property destroyed in Georgia by his army was "simple 
waste and destruction," in no wise contributing to the wants 
of the invaders, but plunging the defenseless non-com- 
batants into a sea of sorrow, tribulation and ruin. In his 
dispatches he had used such undignified expressions as 
"make Georgia howl" and "march through that State 
smashing things to the sea," which were unworthy of an 
officer of high rank, but they gave the key-note to the con- 
duct of the whole 'Campaign. There is no resisting the ar- 
tillery of facts, and they brand the name of William T. 
Sherman as a blot on the civilization and culture of the 
nineteenth century. 

Abandoning whatever designs he may have had against 
Macon, and turning aside from Augusta, it soon became 
evident that Savannah was Sherman's objective point. Be- 
fore this time, the likelihood of any attack from the inte- 
rior upon Georgia's beautiful commercial metropolis had 
seemed so remote that little attention had been bestowed 
upon any defense of the western approaches to the city. 

The water front on the east and south was protected by 
forts and fixed batteries well supplied with ammunition, 
guns and artillerists. These defenses began at Red Bluff, 
on the Carolina shore, extended across the Savannah river 
along St. Augustine Creek, by way of Whitemarsh Island, 
Thunderbolt Bluff, the Isle of Hope, Beaulieu and Rose 
Dew, until they rested upon the Great Ogeechee river. . So 

24g 369 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

judiciously located were these batteries, and so efficiently 
armed, that the Federals were kept at bay at all points. 

Now, in anticipation of Gen. Sherman's arrival on the 
coast, Federal war vessels had multiplied in the vicinity of 
Savannah, and their demonstrations became more frequent 
and more forcible. ISTotwithstanding this, the Confeder- 
ates found it necessary to withdraw many of their guns and 
place them in battery on the land side of the city, where 
every possible effort was being made for defense. The 
principal roads leading to Savannah were blocked by fell- 
ing timber across them, and detached field works were pre- 
pared at every important point. Gen. Hardee had about 
10,000 men fit for service; but most of them were militia, 
local troops, reserves, and hastily organized regiments and 
battalions made up of convalescents from the hospitals, and 
artisans from the Government shops. 

As Gen. Sherman advanced towards Savannah, Georgia 
had few troops to dispute his passage, but they delayed his 
progress whenever it was practicable. At Millen and 
Montieth, on the Central EaiH'oad, our soldiers offered 
all the resistance possible, but had to abandon those de- 
fensive lines under heavy pressure by the overmastering 
Federal columns. 

By the 10th of December the Federals had closed in 

upon the advanced line of Savannah's defense. Owing 

to the length of this line, the small number of the 

Confederates who manned it, and the ease with which 

its detached earthworks could be flanked, it was evacuated 

shortly after the enemy made a serious demonstration 

against it. Thus, the city of Oglethorpe lay between the 

upper and the nether millstone, with no hope of relief from 

any quarter. 

370 



CHAPTER XLV. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued ) 
1864. 

Owing to the scarcity of Confederate troops in our State, 
neither the activity of Gen. "Wheeler, nor the valiant and 
united eiforts of Gens. Cobb, Smith and McLaws, assisted 
by Gens. Hardee and Beauregard, had been able to keep 
back Sherman's powerful army; and for the second time 
in the history of Georgia, Savannah was besieged. 

The city's interior line of defense commenced at Wil- 
liamson's plantation on the Savannah river, and extended 
to the Atlantic and Gulf railroad bridge across the Little 
Ogeechee river. This line was rendered formidable by the 
succession of marish lands and well-nigh impassable swamps 
in its front. To increase the physical obstructions, the river 
dam at Williamson's plantation was cut, so as to allow the 
water at high tide to submerge the rice fields. All other 
water in the vicinity, which could contribute to swell the 
inundation, was utilized, and thus the entire front of the 
line from the Savannah river to Salt Creek was submerged 
to d depth varying from three to six feet. The creek was 
dammed at the bridge on the Savannah and Darien road to 
retain the water in case the enemy should cut the banks. 
Below the bridge on this road the marshes of the creek and 
of the Little Ogeechee river afforded substantial protection. 

371 



GEORGIA LAND AND FEOPLE. 

The artificial defenses consisted of detached works, armed 
with siege and field pieces, crowning causeways and private 
crossings over the lowlands, and wherever a prominent 
point commanded the established avennes of approach to 
the city. The most elaborate fortification on this interior 
line was called Tort Hardeman. It was planned by Col. 
Frobel of the engineers, the labor being performed by the 
Georgia militia and a detail of negroes. The enemy tried 
twice to carry this Avork, but were easily repulsed. 

This line, so persistently defended by the Confederate? 
during the siege, was thirteen miles long and was held by 
scarcely more than a skirmish line, composed in large part 
of raw troops, among whom was that gallant band of boys, 
the Georgia Cadets. Yet this small force held Sherman's 
formidable army at bay for ten days. The Tederals had 
six men to the Confederates' one. If Gen. Hardee's army 
had been only half the size of Sherman's, one chapter of 
Georgia history would be written differently. Such was 
the pressure upon the Confederacy that at no time during 
the siege of Savannah w^as it possible to send Gen. Hardee 
any re-inforcements. 

The Federals, closely investing the city, demonstrated in 
force on more than one occasion and attempted to carry 
the Confederate works, but in every instance suffered re- 
pulse. They kept up an incessant cannonading, supple- 
mented at various points by sharp shooting, musketry firing 
and fierce artillery duels. The Confederates were so well 
protected by their entrenchments that their loss was in- 
considerable. 

While Savannah was besieged. Commodore Josiah Tatt- 
nall, with his small naval force rendered all the assistance 

possible. 

372 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Gen. Sherman threw a considerable body of troops on 
the left bank of the Savannah river, particiilarly npon 
Argyle Island and the upper end of Hutchinson's Island, 
to cut oli' the Confederate retreat and to intercept commu- 
nication with South Carolina. They met continuous and 
bloody resistance by the Confederates in the rice fielrjs and 
along the dams. The retention of this route was essential 
to the ultimate safety of the troops defending Savannah., so 
the commands of Gen. Wheeler and Gen. P. M. B. Young, 
assisted by some South Carolina light batteries, were con- 
centrated for its protection. There was some heavy fight- 
ing, but these troops stulibornly resisted and successfully 
frustrated every effort of the enemy to get possession of 
this avenue of retreat. In these skirmishes Capt. F. E. 
Eve of Augusta displayed conspicuous gallantry and ren- 
dered important service. 

Just before the Federal army encompassed Savannah, . 
Fort ]\rcAllister had been amply provisioned in anticipa- 
tion of its early isolation if Gen. Sherman should fully en- 
velop the western lines; in which case, no communication 
could be held with this post. Maj. George W. Anderson 
was in command, and the garrison numbered 150 men. 

The day after Gen. Slierm,an began the siege of Savan- 
nah, our small infantry force, which had been disputing 
the advance of the enemy on the right bank of the Great 
Ogeechee, was withdrawn. The Confederate cavalry re- 
treated to Liberty county, and the Fort was left in an abso- 
lutely isolated condition, without any hope of support or 
relief. That it was not evacuated and the garrison re- 
called within the lines in seasonable time has been ex- 
plained on the supposition that Gen. Hardee hoped by a 

373 



GEORGIA. LAND AND PEOPLE. 

bold retention of this ontpost, and a strong dis]:)lay of re- 
sistance, to induce Gen. Sherman to' avoid Savannah and 
seek some other and more favorable point on the coast for 
commimicating with the Federal fleet. 

On the afternoon of the 13th of December, the Federal 
General Hazen and his division fell upon the rear of Fort 
McAllister, and, by a rapid assault, sAvept over the abattis 
and rear defenses and captured it with a loss to his com- 
mand of 134 killed and wounded; a number almost equal 
to that of the heroic garrison. The fighting was desperate 
and deadly, the Confederates contesting every inch of 
ground within the Fort; when they had finally retreated to 
the bomb-proofs, they still fought and only yielded as each 
man was individually overpowered. Thus, overwhelmed 
by numbers, the beloved Confederate flag went down amid 
smoke and carnage. "The noble part that Fort McAllister 
sustained in the Confederate struggle for independence will 
not be forgotten in the lapse of years, or lightly esteemed in 
the record of truth and valor." 

By the fall of this Fort, Gen. Sherman had full control 
of the Ogeechee river and for the first time could commu- 
nicate with the Federal fleet. In a conference with its Ad- 
miral, they agreed that Savannah should be vigorously at- 
tacked, both by land and sea, and that heavy guns for 
bombarding it at long range should be speedily placed in 
position. 

On the iTtli of December, Gen. Sherman demanded the 
surrender of the city and its forts, threatening if he should 
have to resort to an assault, or to the slower process of star- 
vation, he would adopt the harshest measures and make 



374 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

little effort to restrain his soldiers. To this demand Gen. 
Hardee returned a prompt and emphatic refusal. 

Up to the 20th of December our troops had not yielded 
a single position or lost a foot of ground with the exception 
of Fort McAllister. Still, when Gen. Hardee discovered 
that Gen. Sherman had put heavy siege guns in position 
near enough to bombard the city, and that the Federals 
were threatening Union Causeway, which stretches across 
the large swamps that lie between Savannah and Charles- 
ton — and offered his only line of retreat — he determined 
to evacuate the city rather than expose it and its inhabitants 
to bombardment. Holding Savannah could no longer bene- 
fit the cause, and his troops could do more valuable service 
in the field. 

As it was impossible Avith the few steamboats and river 
craft at his command, to convey the army, the artillery and 
the requisite stores in safety to the Carolina side of the 
river, Col. Frobel's skill was again displayed, and three 
pontoon bridges were made by the sailors from the Con- 
federate navy, assisted by a detachment of the Georgia 
militia. These bridges were constructed of rice field flats, 
and they were so scarce that they were lashed end to end 
and not side to side as is usual in pontoon bridges of this 
description. They were kept in their places by car wheels, 
the only anchors which could be procured. After Hardee's 
army crossed, these boats were cut loose from their moor- 
ings and turned adrift, thus preventing the enemy from 
pursuing the Confederates if they should attempt it. Col. 
Frobel encountered many difficulties from heavy fogs and 
scarcity of material, but the soldiers worked so rapidly that 
everything was ready for the retreat by the night of the 

20th. 

■ 875 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

In the meantime, our artillery and infantry fire had for 
two days been heavier than at any previous time, as it was 
iio longer necessary to husband the amhaunition. The navy 
yard, the iron-clads, and other Confederate property were 
destroyed, the fortifications below the city were razed to 
the ground, and the ladies' gunboat, Georgia, was sunk at 
her moorings. When all things were ready for their depar- 
ture, rice-straw was thickly strewn over the pontoon bridges, 
and under the dusky shadows of night, the Confederate 
army safely passed over to South Carolina. 

There was no confusion, and every movement was exe- 
cuted promptly and in silence. The venerable and gallant: 
Commodore Tattnall, having in person superintended the 
destruction of his vessels, marched at the head of his sailors 
and marines to the rendezvous at Hardeeville, in South 
Carolina, although, at the time, he was suffering severely 
with rheumatism. 

Prior to the retreat of the Confederates, Gen. W heele'* 
and Gen. Young were actively engaged, night and day, in 
holdi'ng the enemy in check, and keeping open the line of 
retreat, while Gen. Iverson created a diversion on the right 
and in the rear of the Federal army. Brisk firing was kept 
up, until the moment when our forces were withdrawn from 
the western lines. 

"The destruction of guns, ammunition and ordnance 
stores, in the presence of and without attracting the notice 
of the enemy, the successful withdrawal of the comm.and 
across the pontoon bridges over the Savannah river, the 
absence of all noise and confusion during the movement 
consummated at night, and, above all, the safe conduct of 
such a large body of troops, with artillery and wagons, 

376 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

along the narrow rice dams and causeways of the Carolina 
shore, in a slender colnmn, in close proximity to a strong 
Federal force, extending from Izard's plantation for more 
than a mile parallel, or nearly so, with the Confederate line 
of retreat — and that without loss or interruption — indicate 
at once the skill and care with which the Confederate com- 
mander had arranged his plans, and the excellent behavior 
of his troops in executing them." 

It was half past three o'clock in the morning before the 
Federals discovered that the defenses on the land side of 
Savannah had been abandoned. The weather was unusu- 
ally cold for that latitude, and the beautiful "city by the 
sea" was still wrapped in night's star-gemmed mantle, 
when, on the 21st of December, at half past four o'clock 
a. m., Hon. Eichard D. Arnold, the Mayor, and a delegation 
from the board of aldermen, bearing a flag of truce, met 
the Federal general, Geary, near the junction of the Louis- 
ville and Augusta roads, and made a formal surrender of 
the city just evacuated by the Confederates — and Savan- 
nah, the pride of Georgia, Avas in the hands of her enemies. 

Gen. Sherman did not burn the city as he did Atlanta, 
but it was at once placed under military rule. The Press 
was muzzled, and only two newspapers allowed to be pub- 
lished. All the cotton in the city, amounting to thousands 
upon thousands of bales, was appropriated. During these 
dark days the citizens had a hard time, as they were at the 
mercy of Sherman's soldiers and the Yankee speculator- 
who swarmed there from the North "for cotton and all 
sorts of profit.'^ Ladies who had been reared in luxury 
were forced to sell cakes and pies from their basement win- 
dows to Yankee soldiers, to procure money for the neces- 

377 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

saries of life. The principal article of diet in many fam- 
ilies was sturgeon, a coarse fish that thev had never before 
dreamed of eating. It was a great hardship to have no 
change from this mean fare, and the ladies taxed their in- 
genuity to prepare the fish so as to make it more palatable. 
It became common for them to greet a friend with the 
remark : ^'Oh, I have found a new way to cook sturgeon !" 

The wives of Generals Gustavus Smith and A. P. Stew- 
art were left behind when the city was evacuated, but they 
were accorded special protection by a Federal ofiicer; and 
rations were also issued to families who had absolutely no 
means of subsistence. These are among the rare instances 
of humanity shown by the Federals while they were in 
Georgia. 

A ( reorgia lady, the wife of the commander of the Con- 
federate cruiser, Florida, was in Savannah at this time, and 
Gen. Sherman, speaking of her as if she were the wife of a 
robber on the high seas, ordered her to leave the city at 
once. She replied that her baby was too ill to take a jour- 
ney, and besides she was without money and could not pay 
traveling expenses. In spite of her entreaties, he shipped 
her off in one of his transports when the baby was so sick 
that she could not be dressed, but only enveloped in a little 
red flannel wrapper. 

In his order to the captain of the transport, Gen. Sher- 
man called the lady "the pirate's wife." Fortunately she 
had friends in Philadelphia with whom she could take 
refuge. AVhen she arrived there the baby was so emaciated 
that she was a pitiful spectacle, and Avas kept alive on the 
juices obtained from raw beefsteak put under heavy pres- 
sure. The baby exile had another long journey as soon as 

378 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

she reg:ained her strength, going to her father in Queens- 
town, Ireland, but she survived all her hardships, and is to- 
day a splendid woman. 

While Georgia had become a battle-field, and some of 
her fairest territory was being wantonly laid waste by the 
devastating columns of the invaders, her sons in Confed- 
erate armies in other States had kept to the highest pitch 
the renown which they had acquired, though now they were 
poorly clad, and often on short rations, which intensified 
their SrufFerings on the march, in bivouac and in battle. 

In these long years of war the ties between the officers 
and tljeir men had grown to be very close. The soldiers 
were quick to see the strong points of character in their 
officers and often gave them very appropriate nicknames. 
They called Gen. Benning "The Rock," and Gen. George 
T. Anderson, "Old Tige." 

In one of the battles in Xorth Georgia, the latter was 
in a very tight place; Gen. Benning in going to his relief 
passed a stationary command, and they shouted to him : 
''Hurry up. Rock, Old Tige is treed !" 

In Virginia, at the battle of the Wilderness, when Gen. 
Lee, to save his broken line, rode forward to lead the attack, 
it was John B. Gordon's men who stopped him by crying : 
"Lee to the rear ! Lee to the rear !" 

And they .declared that they would not "budge" a step 
imless he retired. Then, as he turned, those Georgians 
rushed forward with the wild Confederate yell, drove back 
the Yankees and re-took the position. 

In the battles from the Wilderness to Cold Harbor, in 
every oiie of which Georgians were conspicuous, the Fed- 
eral G:m. Grant lost, in two short niontlis, over 60,000 men; 

379 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

more by half than all the soldiers Gen. Lee had in his army. 
At Cold Harbor the slaughter was fearful, the ground being 
literally blue with the Federal dead, piled upon one another 
in front of the (confederate breastworks. The battle lasted 
one hour. The order to the Federals to make a second 
charge was disregarded, the men sullenly refusing to ad- 
vance, and Gen. Grant was forced to withdraw them and 
ask leave to 1 ury his dead. 

Tn November, Col. L. J. Glenn was appointed Confed- 
erate commander of the post of Atlanta; and early in De- 
cember, the exiles began to return with the determination 
to i-el.>uild their city. They sat do\vn with brave hearts 
amid the debris and ruin. 

At this time the site of the once flourishing city presented 
a picture of utter desolation. Out of a population of 
20,000, there were now not more than 600 inhabitants, with 
perhaps a hundred negroes. 

During this period of misfortune, forty-nine dollars of 
Confederate money were only equal to one dollar in gold. 
Wheat was worth from forty to fifty dollars a bushel; a 
man's hat cost several hundred dollars, a horse several thou- 
sand; yet the pay of a Confederate private was but eleven 
dollars a month in this depreciated currency, which would 
scarcely buy a pound of meat or a loaf of bread. 

In many localities food and clothing were difficult to pro- 
cure, and brought fabulous prices, while medicine was a 
costly luxury. 

At this time one hundred and twenty thousand indigent 
persons were supported by the State. 

This year, so fraught \\ath misery to Georgia, ended with 
the spirit of her people unbroken, and an ardent desire to 
continue the war. 

380 



CHAPTER XLVI. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Continued.) 

1865. 

The new year opened gloomily for Georgia, much of 
whose territory was in the hands of her enemies. Then, 
too, her railroads were either partly or wholly destroyed, 
and business was almost at a standstill, Confederate money 
having Avell-nigh lost it? purchasing power. 

The legitimate hardships of war — the destruction of pub- 
lic property and foraging for the maintenance of troops — 
Georgia was willing to accept as the price of liberty; but 
she entered a solemn protest against the revolting cruelties 
of Sherman's soldiers. 

Fort Fisher, which guarded the entrance to the harbor of 
Wilmington, Is". C, was now the only remaining port 
through which the Confederates had any communication 
with the outside world, and this intercourse was obtained 
by running the gauntlet of the blockading fleet. It had 
withstood every attack of the enemy until the middle of 
January, when it fell before the conjoint operations of a 
Federal fleet and a large land force. In this last struggle 
for Fort Fisher, Col. John T. Lofton, of the 6th Volunteer 
Georgia Regiment, was among the first who was killed. 

381 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Little by little, Georgia women had given np the luxnries 
of life, and then the comforts, nntil many of them — espe- 
cially those who were in the track of Sherman's army — ex- 
perienced the lowest depths of privation. Old silk and 
wool dresses were turned and made over time and again, or 
two or three remnants of dresses were combined to make 
one. These were their "Sunday clothes." For ordinary 
wear, the great mass of Georgia's fair daughters could ob- 
tain nothing but the domestic cloth, called homespun. 
They made it up tastefully, trimmed it with odds and ends 
of velvet or silk, and turned out many pretty dresses. 
There was no limit to their ingenuity in dressing themselves 
nicely with scanty material, and in contriving for the com- 
fort of the soldiers in the field, Sherman and all his sol- 
diers might steal and destroy and insult, but they could 
never make Georgia women forget or neglect "the boys in 
gray." Times were desperately hard, but our people some- 
how contrived to live, and send a little to the soldiers. 

At this time it was rare to see a man at church, unless 
he w^as very old, diseased or wounded. All the men were 
at the front; so the congregations, as a rule, were composed 
of women and children. As has been truly said, both the 
manhood and boyhood of Georgia bore arms in her defense. 

During this winter the Federal Gen, Kilpatrick plun- 
dered the country south of the Ogeechee river. Overrun- 
ning and occupying Liberty county, he reduced a well- 
ordered and abundantly supplied region to a condition of 
poverty, lawlessness and desolation. 

Civilized warfare does not license the plundering of pri- 
vate property, the insulting of women, nor the starving of 
children; but "it was better to be the plundered than the 

382 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

plunderers; it was nobler to sit down in the ashes of Georgia 
homes than to be clothed in victorions robes won in snch 
dishonorable warfare." 

Gen. Sherman has pnblished to the world that he per- 
formed a grand military achievement in his march from 
Atlanta to the coast, but the facts prove it to have been more 
of a holiday excursion on a gigantic militarv' scale, than a 
triumph of martial skill. His well-appointed army left At- 
lanta with forty days' rations of bread, salt, sugar and coffee; 
nothing, indeed, was lacking Avliich could contribute to its 
comfort and efficiency. Georgia had neither soldiers nor 
materials of war to offer him effectual opposition; and, in 
the interior counties, there were only old men and boys to 
shoulder tlieir fowiing-pieces and dispute his passage. 

When he reached Savannah he showed an utter want of 
military skill, by sitting down before our lines, erecting 
counter batteries, engaging in artillery duels and shar]> 
shooting, and day after day feeling for weak points. Then, 
when Fort McAllister was captured he made arrangements 
for the transportation of lieavy guns with which to shell 
the city, at great distance, over the heads of her defenders, 
and finally suffered the garrison to pass to the Carolina 
shore "under his very nose." "All the extravagant praises 
written and STing concerning 'Sherman's march to the sea,' 
is the veriest balderdash, and can so be proved in the clear 
light of history." 

Gen. Sherman remained in Savannah until the 19th of 
Januar}', and then left Georgia, whose dignity he had so 
long insulted. 

The conduct of the negroes in Georgia and the other Con- 
federate States during this war, conclusively refutes the 

383 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

slander that our enemies had persistently published, that 
Southerners were cruel tyrants. Our~ strong men went far 
away to battle and left their negroes the guardians of their 
homes and their families. Surely this attests the attach- 
ment, the mutual dependence, the trust and genuine friend- 
ship that existed between the masters and servants. Our 
negroes worked the plantations and performed their domes- 
tic duties with their customary cheerfulness and alacrity; 
and those who went to the front with their owners shared 
with them the fatigues of the march and the privations of 
camp-life while rendering every service which the occasion 
required, except that of bearing arms. 

In the desperate condition of our State, the situation of 
the mountain counties in l^orth Georgia was simply horri- 
ble, and had been for months. At the request of Gov. 
Bro-\\Ta, Pres. Davis appointed Gen. William T. Wofford, 
Department Commander of this section. Being a native 
of that part of the State, he entered mth loving zeal upon 
his work of relieving its utter desolation. His first step 
was to send a flag of truce to Gen. Judah, Federal com- 
mander in that region, and obtain corn to distribute to the 
starving people — who, not being able to refugee, had re- 
mained at home almost in despair. Gen. Wofford deserves 
the gratitude of his State for mitigating the miseries of this 
section and bringing order out of chaos. 

In February Gov. Bro^\Ti convened the Legislature in 
Macon. This is a notable session, as it was the last held 
Avhile Georgia was a member of the Southern Confederacy. 
Gen. Toombs, Gen. Howell Cobb, Benjamin H. Hill and 
William H. Stiles made encouraging and patriotic addresses 
before the Legislature and to the citizens of Macon. 

384 



THE WAR BETAVEEN THE STATES. 

Tliis Legislature passed a complimentary resolution on 
the services of Gen, Gustavus W. Smith and his command 
at the battle of Honey Hill, which ended with these words : 
"The State with pride records this gallant conduct of her 
militia, and feels assured that when an emergency again 
arises, State lines will be forgotten by her militia, and a 
patriotism exhibited which knows nothing but our whole 
country." 

ISTo detailed account of the sufferings endured in Federal 
prisons by the soldiers from Georgia and the other Southern 
States, has been published, but the facts can be authenti- 
cated by hundreds now living. At Point Lookout, a bleak 
and dreary prison on the eastern shore of ]\[aryland, the 
captives were fed on condemned army stores bought at 
auction. At Fort Henry the fare each day consisted of 
worm-eaten crackers and one slice of tainted pork, and every 
morning an ill-tasting slop which the custodians called 
coffee. In such dens as Fort Delaware the food was worse, 
and river water — which was impregnated with filth — w^as 
used for cooking and drinking. ISTine thousand men were 
crowded into quarters that could not comfortably accom- 
modate 2,000. Attempts were made to extort daily labor 
from them, as if they were convicts. Some of them were 
manacled with irons, and others were confined in unwhole- 
some dungeons. The sentinels were told, at one time, to 
fire into any room where a light was seen after nine o'clock 
at night, but this order was not published to the prisoners. 
It happened that, after the interdicted hour, a captive Con- 
federate raked open a bed of coals on the hearth to cook a 
piece of meat which he had, by some means, obtained, when 
the guard raised his gun, fired and scattered the poor fel- 
low's brains against the wall. 
-5g 385 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

There were cases where our gallant soldiers, when pris- 
oners, were reduced by hunger to eat. rats. In a room 
where they were so crowded they could scarcely breathe, 
one of them got his head partly through a window, for 
which he was shot down. 

Confederate prisoners were taken in mid-winter, in their 
thin clothing, to such icy regions as Camp Douglas, Rock 
Island, and Johnson's Island, where it is a notorious fact 
that many of them actually froze to death. At Fortress 
Monroe, IJedloe's Island and Camp Chase, their sufferings 
were equally as harrowing. In thousands of instances the 
experiences of Confederate soldiers in prison are too sicken- 
ing and revolting for publication. 

Our enemies have written much about the horrors of 
Andersonville, in Southwestern Georgia, where they assert 
that Federal prisoners were systematically tortured to death. 
The selection of that place as a prison was governed by 
humane considerations, and was not made with cruel de- 
signs against the prisoners — as our enemies report. It was 
chosen because it was in a nice section of country, -with 
plenty of pure water and running streams, and secure from 
Federal invasion. The prisoners were put in one stockade 
only from lack of men to guard more than one. The cli- 
mate was hard upon them during the summer, and their 
stomachs were not accustomed to corn-meal; this made thou- 
sands of them ill, but the Confederate Government cannot 
be held responsible for their sufferings. "Whatever food 
the Confederate soldiers iiad — whether good or bad, full or 
short — the I'ederal prisoners shared equally with them. 
Whatever medical attention the sick and wounded Confed- 
erate soldiers had, the same was ordered for the Federal 

38() 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

prisoners who needed it; Avlien the medicines were ex- 
hausted, and no more conld be obtained, the healing herbs 
of tlie conntr)' \veve used as substitutes, and these, too, were 
shared with them. 

An act requirinii' hunuinitj to prisoners was passed by 
the Confederate Congress during the fa'st year of the war. 
The Confederate Government cannot be justly held respon- 
sible for occasional cruelty on the part of subordinates who 
were unfaithfid to their trusts. They never, in a single 
instance, sanctioned — much less ordered — -unoffending pris- 
oners of war to be coniined in unwholesome dungeons and 
to be put in irons, as was repeatedly done by order of the 
authorities at Washington, in utter violation of the usages 
of modern, civilized warfare. 

That the sufferings of the Andersonville prisoners were 
intense cannot be charged upon Georgia or the Confed- 
erate Government. There would not have been one groan- 
ing prisoner there, but for the refusal of the Federal Gov- 
ernment to comply with the earnest request of the Confed- 
erate Government for an exchange of prisoners upon liberal 
and humane principles. A delegation of these prisoners 
was sent to Washington to lay their condition before the 
authorities and beg them for an exchange, but the request 
was denied, and they were returned to prison. The Federal 
Government connived at the sufferings of their own troops 
in captivity, to furnish sensational matter to their Press. 

The case in a nutshell stands thus : The Confederates, 
with their ports blockaded and their resources reduced, did 
the best they could for those who were placed at their 
mercy; the Federal Government, in the midst of plenty, 

387 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

with good credit, and its ports opened to^ the world, inflicted 
cruel, wanton deprivation on Confederate prisoners. 

Capt. ITenry Wirtz, a European by birth, had charge of 
the Anderson ville prisoners. He obtained the position 
through letters of recommendation, vouching for his intelli- 
gence and good character. When the war ended, the Fed- 
erals arrested him and tried him before a military commis- 
sion on the charge of murder, in violation of the usages of 
war. He was found guilty and executed. 

Poor, friendless and wounded, he was doomed before he 
was heard. His trial was notoriously unfair. At Camp 
Douglas, at Hock Island, at Elmira, and at Point Lookout, 
acts of greater cruelty and barbarity were perpetrated by 
Federals upon Confederate prisoners, than anything that 
was proven against Capt. Wirtz at his trial. It is due to 
his memory to recollect that with his dying breath he denied 
the charges agaiiist him, and that his life was offered him 
if he would swear to false accusations against Pres. Davis. 
He resisted the temptation, thus exhibiting honor and fidel- 
ity strangely in contrast Avith his tempters and persecutors. 

By the showing of the enemy, the Confederates held 
50,000 more prisoners than the Federals; yet the Federal 
deaths in Southern prisons was under nine per cent., whih? 
Confederate deatlis in uSTorthern prisons was over twelve* 
per cent. On which side was there the most neglect, 
cruelty and inhumanity ? 

Alexander H. Stephens says: '"Eat the great question in 
this matter is, upon whom rests the tremendous responsi- 
bility of all this sacrifice of human life, with all its inde- 
scribable miseries and sufferings? The facts, beyond ques- 
tion or doul>t, show that it rests entirely upon the author- 

388 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

ities at AV^asliington ! It is now well understood to have 
been a part of their settled policy in conducting the war, 
not to exchange prisoners. The grounds upon which this 
extraordinary course was adopted were, that it was human- 
ity to the men in the iiel^, on their side, to let their cap- 
tured comrades perish in prison, rather than to let an equal 
number of Confederate soldiers be released on exchange to 
meet them in battle ! Upon the Federal authorities, and 
upon them only, with this policy as their excuse, rests tl^e 
w^hole of this responsibility. 

"To avert the indignation which- the open avowal of this 
policy by them, at the time, would have excited through- 
out the jSTorth, and throughout the civilized world, the false 
cry of cruelty towards prisoners was raised against the (.Con- 
federates. This was but a pretext to cover their own viola- 
tion of the usages of war, in this respect, among civilized 
nations !" 



£89 



CHAPTER XLVII. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. (Concluded ) 
1865. 

It was in Febniarv of this year tliat the celebrated Hamp- 
ton Road's Conference was held. Alexander H. Stephens 
was a prominent member of this Conference — about which 
such erroneous ideas have existed — and he has written its 
true history. 

As spring opened, distressing news reached Georgia from 
the Confederate annies in Virginia, in the West, and in 
the Carolinas. They were pressed on all sides by over- 
^\ helming numbers, but the Georgia troops were displaying 
their usual dafh and energy. During Gen. Hardee's march 
from the Catawba to the Cape Fear river, in ISTorth Caro- 
lina, Gen. "Wheeler had tAvice attacked and repulsed the 
enemy, and Georgia soldiers had fought and suffered with 
Gen. Lee, in the trenches before Petersburg, until his line 
was broken and Richmond abandoned to the enemy, 

Georgia's sons were with the thin, but resolute and un- 
daunted columns of Confederates, who, as devoted as the 
Spartan band at Tliermopylo^, fought for seven days, more 
than ten times their nuniber, before they surrendered on 
the 9th of April at mournful Appomattox. 

During those last terrible days, Georgia's knightly son. 
Gen. John 73. Gordon, next to the noble Lee, was the most 

300 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

distinguished figure of the army in Virginia. Eight times 
liad he iieen Avounded in battle, once receiving a saber cut 
across the face. Gordon was the last to leave the trenches 
at Petersburg; in the retreat, Gordon daily fought the 
enemy for tlie protection of the trains; and it was Gordon 
(who commanded one ^ving of the army) to whom Gen. 
Lee appealed on that dreadful day of the surrender, to learn 
the chances for a successful attack upon the enemy. Gor- 
don sadly replied : "My old corps is reduced to a frazzle, 
and unless I am supported heavily by Longstreet I do not 
think ^ve can do anything more." 

Gen. Lee, knowing that Longstreet was threatened by 
the Federal General Meade, said : 

"Then, there is nothing left me but to go and see Gen. 
(irant, and I would rather die a thousand deaths!" and 
thus the spotless sword 6f Lee was surrendered. He re- 
ceived honorable terms from the enemy; othenvise he would 
not have surrendered his troops. They were paroled as 
Confederate soldiers, not one word being said about "reb- 
els" or "rebellion," AVhen the officers and men took leav-.^ 
of Gen. Lee soon after the capitulation, it was a deeply 
affecting sight! 

Towards the middle of April, the Federal General Wil- 
son, n])proaphing Georgia through Alabama — for the pur- 
pose of making a raid — was opposed by a band of Confed- 
erates at Girard, Avhich is a small town connected with 
Columbus by a bridge, and on the Alabama side of the 
Chattahoochee river. The Georgia soldiers engaged in this 
battle were two regiments of tlie State line, a small num- 
1)er of reserves, and some of Gen. Wofford's men. It was 
after nightfall Sunday, April IGth, when our soldiers, 

391 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

retreating, fell back upon Columbus. The military author- 
ities there determined to attempt the defense of the city, 
though the companies composing the Home Guards were 
inexperienced and their arms very inferior. Their line of 
defense was a single one, and long drawn out around the 
upper bridge. The four or five hundred Federal troop:^ 
for whom Gen, Wilson, in his report, claims the honor of 
breaking through the Confederate lines, did not really en- 
counter one half of their own force. The enemy captured 
and partially destroyed the city. The chivalric and 
lamented C. A. L. Lamar fell, while gallantly trying to 
rally a squad of Confederates at the Columbus end of the 
bridge. "As much as other cities suffered by the war, the 
loss of Columbus was perhaps greater than that of any 
other, for the reason that the great industrial establishments 
that afforded work and support to so many of her citizens, 
were wholly destroyed; all the cotton which the plant- 
ers of the surroimding country had stored here was burnt, 
and it constituted their only available means of raising 
money wherewith to continue their work." Columbus 
made a glorious record during the war, and her patriotism 
was unbounded. Before Georgia seceded, every military 
company in the city signified to Gov. Brown their readiness 
to respond to any call for the defense of the State. 

The engagement at Columbus and, earlier in the same 
day, the sharp fight at West Point, were the last battles of 
the war this side of the Mississippi river. The Federal 
Genera] Wilson also captured and held GrifHn and Macon. 

Two weeks after the capitulation of Gen. Lee, the forces 
of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston were surrendered in the Caro- 
linas; and by the last of May, the fragments of Confederate 

392 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

armies elsewhere had laid down their amis, and the war 
between the States was ended. The Southern Confederacy 
went down under the pressure of exhausted resources and 
the overwhelming numbers of the enemy. From the be- 
ginning to the end of the war, near, if not quite,, two mil- 
lion more of Federals were brought into the field than the 
entire force of the Confederates. 

The war was over, and Georgia had not won the right of 
self-government. "Was the blood of her sons poured out in 
vain, and hey treasure spent for naught? I^ot by any 
means ! Every blow that was struck for liberty will re- 
dound to the good of unborn generations of Georgians. 
Military force can decide no truth. " 'Tis a cause, not the 
fate of a cause, that is glorious." 

Georgia's course in the war between the States has left 
upon her honor neither blot nor stain for which her children 
might blush in the future. Not less than 120,000 of her 
sons did battle under the Confederate flag. "The field 
ofiicers, the staff, the non-commissioned officers and the pri- 
vates of this grand army won for Georgia a reputation that 
any nation might envy." 

"The Legislatures con^'eued during this period, freely 
voted millions upon millions of dollars raised by taxation, 
for the support of Georgia soldiers and for the relief of such 
of their families as were needy, but never one cent for hire- 
ling or substitute. At every session their proceedings were 
aglow with patriotic acts and generous resolutions. In a 
word, "our State Government, the Legislature, the Bench, 
the Bar, the Pulpit, county and municipal organizations, 
and every citizen united to do the Ijest that was in them to 

393 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

promote the success of the Avar for Southern rights. All 
honor to the cause which enlisted such sympathy and 
evoked such proofs of marvelous devotion !" 

Tt was a pathetic sight to see Georgia's sons — who for 
four blo(xly years had so gloriously worn the gray — in their 
dingy, battered uniforms, singly or in groups, sadly finding 
their way home from all parts of the Confederacy. Some, 
alas ! found only heaps of ashes and '^Sherman's Sentinels" 
to show where their homes had once stood. 

The Confederate soldiers from every part of the fair 
Southland had suffered as few suffer in this world; and 
yet, amid all their tribulations, they kept the faith to which 
they had pledged their knightly honor. History can show 
no finer types of chivalry ! Merely to print the names of 
the Georgia soldiers who deserve all honor and love would 
fill more than the pages allotted to this volume. 

After Gen. Lee's surrender, Pres. Davis and various 
members of his cabinet, in passing through Georgia, stopped 
over night in Washington, and in this Georgia town was 
held the last meeting of the Confederate cabinet. Their 
last official act was to appropriate what gold there was in the 
treasury to buy rations for Confederate soldiers returning 
from the war, and to be distributed among the wounded 
and sick. The large brick house where this council was 
held is built upon the very site where Gov. Stephen Heard 
erected his Fort for defense against the Indians. 

The pen with which Pres. Davis signed his last order is 
no-'.v the property of a gentleman who lives in Washington. 

While these high dignitaries were in town, wagons ar- 
rived bearing the specie which belonged to the Confederate 



394 



THK WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Go^'ernment. It was between one and two hundred thou- 
sand dolhirs — the bulk of it in bars of gold, the remainder 
in coins. 

Just after the de])arture of the Confederate officials, a 
cavalryman from the escort of Gen. Breckinridge, of Ken- 
tucky, turned when they had passed beyond the town, hur- 
riedly gallo]5ed back, threw a bag of gold coins — amounting 
to 5,000 dollars— over in (Jen. Toombs's lot, and then rode 
rapidly away. l\o instructions accompanied the gift and 
no explanation was ever obtained. Gen. Toombs was in 
great need, and was borrowing gold to leave the State to 
avoid im])risonnient, but his character was cast in too noble 
a mould to allow him to make a private use of this Confed- 
erate gold. Tt was eventually turned over to a Federal 
officer with the agreement that it should be used to buy 
provisions for returning Confederate soldiers, and it is said 
that he disposed of it as he had promised. 

After he left Washington, the honored and beloved Pres- 
ident of the Confederacy was captured by 200 Federal cav- 
alry, on the 10th of May, near Irvinville, in .Washington 
county; and the rest of the C.^onfederate gold was captured 
at the same time. 

Before this painful event happened, the State troops had 
been surrendered and paroled, most of our towns were in 
the hands of the Yankees, and Georgia was helpless to aid 
Pres. Davis in the hour of his need. 

The town of AVashington was the home of Gen. Toombs, 
and as soon as the Federals arrived there they tried to cap- 
ture him, but failed — as he was prepared for them. When 
one of their soldiers rang his door-bell, Mrs. Toombs, an- 
swering it, held him in conversation while the General dis- 

395 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

appeared across the plantation. The Yankees searched the- 
premises, finally, and threatened to burn down the house 
unless Gen. Toombs was produced. Mrs. Toombs, turning 
away from them, said coolly : "Very w^ell, burn it."' 

Failing to discover him, and being unable to frighten 
her, they departed without injuring the property. That 
night Lieut. Irwin, a gallant Confederate, less than twenty- 
one years old, earned "Gray Alice" to Gen. Toombs, where 
he was waiting, eighteen miles from home. This famous 
mare had carried him through all his campaigns, and he 
was on her back when he so heroically defended the bridge 
over the Antietam creek in Virginia; and now he trusted to 
her again in his race for liberty, if not for life. The Yan- 
kee cavalry carefully watched all ferries and fords to pre- 
vent his escape, so it was six months before he found a safe 
opportunity to leave Georgia. His only companion during 
this time w^as his devoted young friend, Lieut. Irvin. ■ They 
generally traveled at night, resting a week or more with 
friends, whenever it was desirable. Sometimes they were 
in the wild, picturesque region around Tallulah Falls, then 
in Middle Georgia, and again in the swamps of the Chatta- 
hoochee. When he finally escaped the vigilance of the 
Yankee guards and passed into Alabama, he left his faith- 
ful mare and took the train for Mobile. There he Avas 
entertained by that gifted daughter of Georgia, Miss 
Augusta J. Evans, who, fearing that his identity would be 
discovered, dismissed her servants and cooked and served 
his meals with her own hands, esteeming it a privilege to 
help a Confederate soldier. From Mobile, Gen. Toombs 
made his way to Cuba, thence to France and England. He 
remained abroad until after the restoration of the habeas 

396 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

"■corpus (18 07), -when he returned home and resumed the 
practice of ]aw. 

When the Confederate troops grounded their anns, Gen. 
Henry E. Jackson was a prisoner of war. Having again 
been appointed a Confederate hrigadier-general he was with 
•Gen. Hood in his expedition to Tennessee in the autumn of 
1864, and acted a prominent part in the battles of Franklin 
and aSTashville. In the latter, his gallant brigade, thinned in 
ranks to only a few hundred, after holding its position until 
both flanks of Hood's army were driven back, was sur- 
rounded and captured on the field. Gen. Jackson was first 
taken to Johnson's Island, and then transferred to Fort 
Warren, 

The Federal Government did not carry out the terms 
upon which the Confederate armies surrendered; all our 
State, civil, and Confederate officers who could be found 
were arrested and imprisoned, and Georgia held under mili- 
tary rule. 

Alex. H. Stephens was arrested and taken to Fort War- 
ren, in Boston Harbor, where he was confined for five 
months. He was put in a room below the surface of the 
ground, although he was a confirmed invalid. The damp- 
ness, and living upon soldiers' rations, produced neuralgia 
and a complication of diseases from which he suffered cru- 
• elly, and the effects of which he felt during the remainder 
of his life. The Federal officers and men who had charge 
■of him treated him with respect and kindness. They were 
not responsible for the acts of their superiors, whose orders 
they were bound to obey. Through the efforts of an officer, 
he was allowed, after a time, to have any article of food he 
(desired, if he would purchase it at his own expense. This 

397 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

relieved liini somewhat, but he would have died if a Massa- 
chusetts Senator had not interposed in his behalf, and had 
his quarters changed. But this alleviation of his misery 
was not obtained until late in August, when the little 
strength that he had was almost exhausted. The Federal 
Secretary of War, Mr. Stanton, never gave his consent 
that the sick prisoner should have dry quarters, and the 
order was only signed by Andrew Johnson, the Federal 
President. 

Mr. Stephens was never, tried for any of the crimes with 
which he stood charged; nor was a single Confederate ever 
put upon trial, notwithstanding all that had been said by 
the authorities at Washington City about the "treason of 
the Confederates," about the ''Insurrection," and the 
"Atrocious Rebellion." They did not dare to allow tJie 
principle for which the South fought to come before the 
"Judicial Forum" for decision. "An arbitrament on the 
arena of Reason, Logic, Truth and Justice, they have 
avoided from that day to this." One great fact must be 
kept in mind — a trial would have been the vindication of 
secession before the world ! 

Gov. Brown, Benjamin H. Hill, and other prominent 
Georgians, were also imprisoned by Federal authority. 
Gen. Howell Cobb was arrested, carried as far as Xashville, 
and then released, without any reason being assigned. 
Georgia, under military rule, was forced to submit to in- 
justice and oppression, but the dignified patience with 
which her brave sons bore their sufferings was as gall and 
wormwood to the enemy. 

"However terrible were the losses, suiferings and sacri- 
fices which befell Georgia in this second bloody conflict for 

398 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

the rig'lit of self-government, she still had that which is 
inestimable in value, far above riches, wealth or power, and 
of which no oppression or tyranny can deprive her, and 
that is a pnblic character, which, after having passed the 
severest ordeal that can try men's sonls, stands forth with 
that moral grandeur which is ever imparted to the reputa- 
tion of States, as of individuals, by uprightness in conduct, 
integrity of purpose, truthfulness in words, and the crown- 
ing glory of unsullied honor ! 

"Whatever other errors, faults, failings or shortcomings 
this State may have had, no act of treachery, of perfidy, of 
hypocrisy or deceit, of breach of faith or of turpitude — 
nothing of a low, mean, sordid or unmanly nature can ever 
be justly laid to her charge, either in her State or Confed- 
erate organizations, either before or during the war ; neither 
in the antecedents Avhich led to it, nor in all the fury which 
marked its progress. Her whole public course shows her 
people to have been as true, as brave, as generous, as frank, 
as refined, as magnanimous, as moral, as religious and 
withal as honorable and patriotic in the highest and noblest 
sense of those Avords, as ever struggled against odds, and 
thus struggling, fell in battling for the Right. So the truth 
of history stands and will continue to stand forever ! These 
are facts which time will never obliterate or destroy. This 
record of Georgia's past is no small heritage, if she has noth- 
ing else left for her sons to transmit to their children, and 
to their children's children for generations to ©ome h" 



399 



CHAPTER XLVIII. 

RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 
1865—1872. 

The war between the States had lasted a little more than 
four years. It was waged by the Confederates with the 
great object of maintaining the inestimable sovereign right 
of local self-government, Avhile it was waged by the Fed- 
erals, as they declared, with the sole object of "maintaining 
the Union nnder the Constitution." 

When the Confederate armies surrendered, the mask 
hitherto worn by the War Party of the North was dropped, 
and they no longer cared to conceal that all their talk about 
"the Union" was false sentiment to delude the public. They 
detei-mined that the South should not be members of the 
Federal Union on any terms of equality, but should be held 
as conquered provinces. 

In this grave crisis Gov. Brown called a meeting of the 
Legislature, but the military who were now in control in 
Georgia would not allow it to assemble. 

A few days afterwards an armed force, led by a Federal 
Captain surrounded the Executive Mansion at night, and 
notified the Governor that he was to be arrested. He 
quietly showed his parole as commander-in-chief of the 
State forces, which he had received from the Federal Gen- 

400 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

eral, Wilson. The Captain informed him that he was 
ordered to take that from him. The Governor indignantly 
protested against this outrage, as he had not violated his 
parole, and the faith of the United States Government was 
pledged to protect him. However, he could not resist an 
armed force, and in the end had to give it up. He was 
allowed only thirty minutes to prepare for his departure, 
and was denied a moment in private with his family. He 
was taken to Washington City and put in Carroll prison, 
where he was detained a week and then released. 

During the war Gov. Brown had nobly done his duty^ 
and had always maintained the honor of Georgia ; but when 
he returned home, acting as if ]iot only the cause, but the 
principle, for which Georgia had fought was lost, he re- 
signed the high office with which he had been intrusted for 
the fourth time, and advised all Georgians to acquiesce in 
the arbitrary measures of the Federal Government. 

The night, indeed, was black and fearful; a howling tem- 
pest raged, and the old Ship of State was lashed by the 
turbulent waves until it seemed that she must be swamped 
in the surfs at last. Some few Georgians, with Gov. 
Brown, took to the life-boats; but the great majority of our 
people stood by the old Ship, preferring to go down with 
her — if it needs must be — if she could not weather the 
storm. 

Gov. Brown's successor was appointed by the Federal 
Government, with the title of "Provisional Governor." So, 
for the first time since Georgia ceased to be a colony of 
Great Britain, a Chief iMagistrate not of her own choosing 
occupied the Executive Chair. Under the arbitrary rule 
of the military, a citizen could not carry on his ordinary 
26k 401 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

occupation, could not vote, could not even get a letter out 
of the post-office, without taking an oath of allegiance to 
a government from which thej had suffered such gross 
wrongs. Moreover, this ^'iron-clad oath," as it was called, 
was not allowed to every one ; something like twenty thou- 
sand Georgians, including many of the leading men of the 
State, were not permitted to take it. Georgia law was set 
aside, and there was no appeal from military authority. 
Robbery, murder and every kind of lawlessness ran riot 
over the State, and every newspaper teemed with accounts 
of crime. 

This disorder and defiance of law was increased when 
the Federal Government established what was known as 
the Freedmen's Bureau. It belonged to the War Depart- 
ment, controlled all subjects relating to the negroes, and 
managed, besides, what Congress was pleased to call "aban- 
doned lands." In short, it was a government machine, and 
its agents exercised the power of a Russian Autocrat. The 
Freedmen's Bureau Act, and, later, the Civil Rights Act of 
Congress were both enforced in Georgia by the military. 

A Federal Brigadier-General ordered Gen. Toombs' wife, 
who was living quietly at home, in Washington, to vacate 
her house, as he intended to take possession of it as "aban- 
doned property," and use it for the Freedmen's Bureau 
with which he was connected. Another Federal General 
revoked the order and allowed Mrs. Toombs to retain her 
property. In Athens, w^agons were driven into a gentle- 
aaian's lot and a thousand dollars' worth of railroad iron 
^lauled off, for which no compensation could ever be ob- 
tained., Thus, in every county, property was placed at the 
easprice of military officers. 

402 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

Warrenton, in Wan-en county, was considered, during 
the war, a very safe place, and being at the same time quite 
accessible, a large quantity of cannon and ordnance, com- 
missary and quartermaster's stores, were kept there. At the 
surrender they were destroyed or removed, and never fell 
into the hands of the Yankees, but the town was imme- 
diately garrisoned by federal troops, who made tliemselves 
very objectionable to the citizens. In a spirit of retalia- 
tion, the young ladies of the place set their wits to work to 
torment them all they could. 

On one occasion the most popular girls gave a concert 
and invited all the Yankee officers, who felt much grati- 
fied by the compliment, as they well knew how they were 
hated by the people, but looked sorely crestfallen when 
they found that they had to listen to nothing but Confed- 
erate war songs and battle pieces. At last, when a pretty 
little sparkling brunette began to sing ^'The Conquered 
Banner," with a shadow upon her bright face and a tender 
pathos in her voice, it was too much for the Yankees, and 
they left the hall in a body; so when the last soft note quiv- 
ered upon the air, they were all on the outside of the build- 
ing, lingering around and peeping through the windows. 
Afterwards they sent the young ladies word that they were 
going to arrest them. That was just fun for the girls, and 
they straightway devised some other way to annoy them. 

They went horseback riding with their horses' ears orna- 
mented with tiny Confederate flags; then, at night, they 
would throw vnde open all the windows, sit down to their 
pianos and sing "Dixie," "The Bonny Blue Flag," and 
other war songs, until they were tired out. 

403 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Their parents, at length, put a sto]? to this display of patri- 
otism, fearing that the rough soldiers might say something- 
rude to them. Still, the girls found ways to let ''all the 
world'' know that they gloried in not being "reconstructed," 

The authority of the Federal Government was accepted 
in Georgia from necessity, not from choice. Our people 
had been overcome by superior numbers and greater re- 
sources, but they had not been convinced that their course 
was wrong. 

In Savannah, the Federal General in command issued 
an order against any man appearing on the streets in a 
Confederate uniform. When it was represented to him 
that the returned soldiers had nothing else to put on, nor 
any money to buy another suit, he revoked the order with 
the proviso that the military buttons should be either cut 
off or covered. The next day "the boys in gray" appeared 
on the streets with every button wrapped in crepe. 

From the time that Oglethorpe planted his colony upon 
Yamacraw Bluff, Georgia had never passed through such 
an ordeal as the present. Nine tenths of her sons were 
practically disfranchised because they had served the South- 
ern Confederacy, and all the conditions of life were new; 
their servants were no longer subject to their control, and 
most of their property was scattered to the four winds of 
heaven. It tested the blood that had come down to them 
from Cavalier and Huguenot, from Scotch and Irish ances- 
try. The private life of many Georgians, for the first few 
years after the war, beggars description ; but the energy and 
patience of the men and the fortitude of the women rose to 
the occasion. 



404 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

*"The surrender found a gentle, shrinking, Georgia 
woman on the Florida line, nearly four hundred miles from 
her once luxurious home, from which she had fled in haste 
as Sherman 'marched to the sea.' The husband was with 
Gen. Lee in Virginia. The last tidings came from Peters- 
burg — before Appomattox — and his fate was uncertain. 

''Hiring a dusky driver, with his old army mule and a 
wagon, she loaded the latter with the remnant of goods and 
chattels that were left tO' her, and, placing her four children 
on top, this brave woman trudged the entire distance on 
foot, cheering, guiding and protecting the driver and her 
little ones in the tedious journey. 

"Under an August sun, through sand and dust she 
plodded along, footsore and anxious, until she reached the 
dismantled home and restored her little stock of earthly 
goods under their forjuer shelter. 

"When her soldier husband had walked from Virginia to 
Georgia, he found, besides his noble wife and precious chil- 
dren, the nucleus of a ncAv start in life, glorified by 
woman's courage and fidelity under a most trying ordeal. 

"For a twelve-month the exigencies of their situation 
deprived her of a decent pair of shoes; still she toiled in the 
kitchen, the garden, and, perhaps, the open fields, without a 
repining word or complaining murmur. The same mate- 
rial is found in a steel rail as in the watch s])ring, and the 
only difference between the soldier and his wife was physi- 
cal strength." 

This was no exceptional case. The hardships of Georgia 
women were extreme and long-continued. 



*Mrs. W. H. Felton in Atlanta Constitution. 

405 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

In October after the war ended, a Convention met in 
Milledgeville to re-establish the State Government, if possi- 
ble. While they were in session, the authorities at Wash- 
ington sent them a telegram to the effect that the Thir- 
teenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United 
States, which was the abolition of slavery, and, also, the 
repudiation of the war debt would be deemed essential be- 
fore Georgia was recognized as a State. Our people were 
honorable in their every instinct, and they made an earnest 
protest against the dictation of the Federal Government, 
especially in the matter of ignoring the war debt. They 
adopted a new Constitution for Georgia, which abolished 
slavery, and ordered an election for governor. 

During this same month, a very perfect annular eclipse 
of the sun was visible in Georgia; a most interesting and 
unusual spectacle! The unobscured part of the sun pre- 
sented the appearance of a beautiful luminous ring. The 
landscape was veiled in a half twilight, and animals and 
fowls appeared uneasy. The chickens, especially, seemed 
disturbed, and stood around in the yard irresolute about 
going to roost. 

In one of our up-country towns a gentleman asked a 
privileged old negro if she had been looking at the eclipse. 

"ITo, sir," she replied, "I don't waste no time looking at 
sich things. It ain't a sarcumstance, nohow, to ole Vir- 
ginny, whar I come from. We had better 'clipses than 
this, nearly ev'ry week, up dar!" 

By the end of December, the required oath had been 
taken by most citizens who were permitted to do so, and 
they were endeavoring to pursue their daily occupations 
in peace. Georgia also had a governor of her own choos- 

406 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

ing, Hon. Charles J. Jenkins, one of her noblest sons ; but 
he could not be inaugurated without the consent of the 
Federal Government. The Legislature then in session 
elected Alexander H. Stephens and Herschel V. Johnson, 
United States senators; but neither they nor our repre- 
sentatives were allowed to take their seats. Still, Georgia 
was paying her proportion of the taxes, and the Federal 
Government was guilty of the same wrong (taxation with- 
out representation) for which the thirteen colonies had cen- 
sured Great Britain and gone to war with her in 1776. 

The President of the United States now proclaimed that 
Georgia had adopted the Thirteenth Amendment; but this 
State was not a member of the Union, was not represented 
in Congress, so her vote could not be legally counted. 

Our beloved State had now become a land of memories 
which endeared her a thousandfold to the hearts of her 
sons and daughters ! "A land \vitliout ruins is a land with- 
out memories — a land without memories is a land without 
liberty. A land that wears a laurel crown may be fair to 
see, but twine a few sad cypress leaves around the brow of 
any land, and be tliat land beautiless and bleak, it become^ 
lovely in its consecrated coronet of sorrow, and it wins the 
sympathy of the heart and history. CroAAms of roses fade 
- — crowns of thorns endure. Calvaries and crucifixes take 
deepest hold of humanity; the triumphs of might are tran- 
sient, they pass away and arc forgotten: the sufferings of 
Right are graven deepest on tlie chronicles of nations." 



407 



CHAPTER XUX. 

KECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. (Continued.) 
1865—1872. 

When the Congress of the United States met in the 
winter of 1865-66, the War Party of the North had a 
majority in both Houses. They proposed the Fourteenth 
Amendment to the Federal Constitution, which would 
allow all negroes to vote who were twenty-one years of age 
and upward, and at the same time disfranchise hundreds of 
thousands of tlie white men of the South. This amend- 
ment also prohibited any Southerner from holding office if, 
before the Avar, he liad ever held any position of honor or 
trust. State or Federal, from the highest to the lowest. 
This act was passed in face of the fact, that in several 
AVestern States negroes were not allowed to vote, and Con- 
gress had never presumed to interfere with those States. It 
was at this time that these agitators were first called by the 
party name of "Radicals." 

Georgia and the other Southern States, em])hatically re- 
fusing to consider the new amendment, were declared to 
be in a state of "rebellion"; so the Reconstruction Com- 
mittee of Congress was created, and martial law was pro- 
claimed in time of peace. The Constitution gave Congress 
no such right, therefore it was a gross usurpation of power. 

408 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

The State of Georgia was now wiped out by Act of Con- 
gress, and, M'ith Florida and Alabama, was called "District 
Number 3." The Federal General Pope, who was put in 
command, had absolute power over the life, liberty and 
property of our citizens. Elections according to legal form 
were abolished whencA^er it was his desire. A mayor for 
Augusta and a sheriff for Bartow county were appointed 
by a Federal officer. It was threatened that the University 
should be closed, and that the appropriation due it from tlie 
State should be withheld, because one of the students made 
a speech at commencement that was considered objection- 
able by the Commander of "District ISTumber 3." The 
subject of the speech was "The Vital Principles of Nations 
— Obedience to Organic Law." This brilliant young man 
subsequently served his State as a legislator, and made for 
himself an honorable career. Dr. A. A. Lipscomb, the 
Chancellor of the ITniversity at that time, dissuaded the 
Federal officer from executing his threat. 

Thus was inaugurated a new war. Georgia's Constitu- 
tion was set aside; Georgia's sons were not allowed to vote; 
and the Fourteenth Amendment, under the dictation of the 
bayonet, was declared to have been adopted. Georgia was 
treated like a conquered province, and proclaimed to be no 
longer a member of the Union; and yet, constitutional 
amendments were submitted to her as a sovereign State, to 
be accepted or rejected. The inconsistencies of the Federal 
Congress and their usurpations of poAver from the begin- 
ning of the Avar, had been amazing ! And it had been still 
more amazing that none of the Northern or Western States 
had protested against it ! 



409 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Warren county was situated in "the black belt''; that is, 
it was in a section where the negroes outnumbered the 
white people. The Yankee soldiers and the agents of the 
Freedmen's Bureau filled the heads of the negroes with 
erroneous ideas, and kept them in a continual ferment. 
Thev were told that they would be the lords of the whole 
country in a few years, and were encouraged not to work 
for wliite people. The negroes almost ceased to work, but 
they had to live, so petty thieving and other lawlessness in 
this county became intolerable. 

A fifteen-year-old negro boy went to a gentleman and 
asked what he would take for his house, saying he wished 
to buy it. The boy meant no insolence and the gentleman 
was simply amused. He well knew who had confused his 
ideas about the rights of property and all other rights. 

A mean white man in this county, who sided with the 
Yankees (belonging to the same class w^ho became Tories 
in the Revolutionary war), and who had made himself very 
obnoxious to all decent people by his incendiary talk, was 
one night peppered with bird shot. It could not hurt him, 
and was only done to frighten his cowardly soul; but the 
whole count}^ was at once put under martial law. For 
years a command of Federal soldiers was stationed in "VYar- 
renton. From time to time both officers and men were 
removed, and an entirely new set took their places. It was 
feared that, if they remained there too long, they might 
learn to like the people and show them some kindness and 
sympathy. The life and liberty of every honest white per- 
son in the county was at the mercy of the Federal Major 
in command. 



410 



KECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

These were also trying times for our negroes, who were 
constantly being told that their late masters were their 
greatest enemies. There were so many bad influences 
brouglit to bear upon them, the wonder is that more acts 
of violence were not committed. Many of the young 
negroes had become dissipated and were easy tools in the 
hands of the Kadieals, but through it all, with compara- 
tively few exceptions, the negroes behaved with respect and 
decorum towards their owners. Still, petty thieving was 
universal, with sometimes a midnight robbery or a murder, 
which was traced to negroes under Radical influences. 

Later on, when the negroes discovered that these strang- 
ers cared nothing for them except to use them as political 
tools, it was to their owners that they instinctively turned 
for aid and sympathy in misfortune, and they never ap- 
pealed in vain. "When Georgians again obtained control 
of their State Government, they protected the negroes, and 
lia^-e assisted them from that day to this, in every way possi- 
ble. 

By this time the agents of the Freedmen's Bureau had 
perpetrated so many outrages against the negroes, that the 
United States Congress could no longer ignore their mis- 
deeds, so they were removed, and Federal officers were put 
in their places in "District Number 3." 

A host of Yankees, either left by the Federal army or 
subsequently sent down from the ISTorth, now swarmed in 
Georgia. They had no permanent, habitation here, no in- 
terest, no property, no sympathy with us. Their sole pur- 
pose was to hold oflice, get money, and slander our people. 
They were called "carpet-baggers," and the penniless 
adventurers were calk'd "scalawags." 

411 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

I )uriiig tliis horrible period, which Avas neither peace nor 
war, Benjamin H. Hill, who had recently been very active 
in re-organizing the Democratic party in Georgia, wrote a 
series of papers called "ISrotes on the Situation," embodying 
arguments of great power against the Reconstruction pol- 
icy. These "I^otes" merit the name of 'Philippics." In 
one of them he thus briefly describes the position of Geor- 
gians at this time: ''The complying accept, the resolute 
reject, none approve, wdiile all despise!" 

Gov. Jenkins went to Washington and made a brave 
fight for Georgia in the judicial forum, but his eloquence 
and the justice of his cause were alike unavailing. His- 
manly advice to his fellow-citizens in this crisis Avas, '*a firm 
but temperate refusal of acquiescence" in any of the Recon- 
struction measures. Georgia, as a State, has never counte- 
nanced usurpation nor injustice, and she entered her pro- 
test now, though her voice was unheeded. 

During those days of lawlessness and misrule, a party of 
Radicals and Federal soldiers were sent to Elbert county to 
establish a Freedmen's Bureau. The first night after their 
ari'ival, their camp was surrouufled, and though no one was 
visible, the welkin rang with shouts, hoots, yells and the 
snapping of guns and pistols, until it seemed as if pandi- 
monium was turned loose. This deafening noise was kept 
up, hour after hour, so that sleep fled from the eyes of the 
intruders. Before the break of day the sounds gradually 
grew fainter, until they melted aAvay in the woods. 

The next day the Radicals left without accomplishing 
their purpose, saying they would return with a regiment 
of Federal soldiers and burn every house in the county; but 

nothing more was ever heard of them. 

/- 
412 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

Elbert was the banner countj of Georgia during the 
Reconstruction period. Xo Freedmen's Bureau was ever 
established there, nor was a single Radical vote cast while 
Georgia was in the power of the Federal Congress. 

The reason for this happy state of affairs was that Elbert 
countj was far from the railroad, and was inliabited by a 
people of pure Southern blood, whose lands were not for 
sale. Their beautiful plantations had descended from 
father to son, for generations — in some instances from the 
Colonial period — so there was no alien blood to cause a 
division of the people, and Elbert was a unit against Radi- 
calism. 

In December, 186 T, the Congressional Reconstruction 
Convention, l)aeked by the military, was in session in At- 
lanta. It was composed, with few exceptions, of inferior 
white men and negroes. The Convention had been em- 
powered to levy a tax to pay its expenses, which shows that 
Congress had not intended that the money should be drawn 
from the State treasury. However, at the end of two or 
three weeks, ''the poor whites" and the negroes were clamor- 
ing for their pay, and the all-absorbing question was how 
to obtain the necessary money. 

Col. John Jones was the Treasurer of Georgia at that 
time. According to the law, in order to draw any State 
money, it was first necessary to get a warrant from the Gov- 
ernor and then present it to the Treasurer. 

The leaders of the bogiis Convention finally put their 
heads together and passed a resolution instructing the State 
Treasurer to pay their agent forty thousand dollars, to de- 
fray the expenses of the Convention. In the meantime, 
Gen. Pope had been relieved of the command of "District 

413 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

]SI"umber 3," and Gen. Meade put in his place. A copy of 
this resolution, indorsed by Gen. Meade, was carried by the 
agent to Milledgeville, presented to Col. Jones, and the 
money demanded. 

The Treasurer politely but firmly replied that he could 
not pay out money without an Executive warrant. Hear- 
ing this, the agent at once returned to Atlanta, well know- 
ing it would be a waste of time to apply to Gov. Jenkins, 
who regarded the Convention as an illegal body. 

The finn and patriotic stand of Georgia's Governor 
caused Gen. Meade considerable embarrassment. He final- 
ly sought an interview, in which he asked : 

"Do I understand, that you would not have responded to 
the Convention's order for an Executive warrant ? 

"Certainly not !" answered the Governor. 

Gen. Meade then said he regretted the existence of such 
a condition of affairs, and asked his reasons for acting as he 
was doing in this matter. 

Gov. Jenkins promptly replied that, under the Constitu- 
tion of Georgia, which he had sworn to support, no funds 
could be drawn from the treasury except by an Executive 
warrant for an appropriation made by Georgia law. In 
this case the legislature had made no appropriation. 

Gen, Meade listened to the Governor with profound at- 
tention, and admitted that as a citizen he did not materially 
differ from him; but as a Federal officer whose duty it was 
to enforce the reconstruction measures of Congress, he 
would be compelled to remove the Governor if he did not 
re-consider his determination. This threat did not in the 
least disturb Gov. Jenkins, and he courteously replied that 
his decision would never be changed. Gen. Meade said, he 

414 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

would give liim time to re-eonsider the matter, and then 
took his leave. 

In the tempestuous years that followed the surrender 
the Confederate soldier was pushed into the background for 
a while by the force of circumstances, but he was very dear 
to the heart of Georgia and constituted an undercurrent of 
great power in the land. In the first legislature that was 
convened after hostilities ceased, a jnajority of the members 
were old citizens of the State, and they voted an appropria- 
tion to buy artificial limbs for Georgia's maimed soldiers. 
Before the war had been ended a year, Mrs. Mary Ann 
Williams, the lady who instituted the "Wayside Homes," 
suggested that the 26th of April, the day on which Gen. 
Joseph E. Johnston surrendered, should be set apart annu- 
ally to decorate the graves of our gallant Confederate dead. 
In her communication to the Press she wrote : "They died 
defending the life, honor and happiness of the Southern 

women All did their duty and to all we owe 

our gratitude. Let the soldiers' graves, for that day at 
least, be the Southern Mecca to whose shrine her sorrowing 
women, like pilgrims, may annually bring their grateful 
hearts and floral offerings." 

The idea found ready response in every city, town, vil- 
lage and hamlet, not only in Georgia, but throughout the 
South; and Memorial Day became an established custom 
and legal holiday in Georgia. 

This noble woman received a large share of love and 
gratitude from her State, and when she died, eight years 
later, she was buried with military honors. Her grave is 
decorated every Memorial Day with the same high respect 
as if she had been a Confederate soldier. 

41j 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Georgia's record as a member of the Southern Confed- 
eracy will never be forgotten; and ^'the names and deeds 
of her soldiers will live in memory and be perpetuated as 
legends, and thus treasured up as themes for song and story, 
for ages to come!" 

Let the generous youth of Georgia, through whose veina 
courses the blood of Confederate heroes, keep their mem- 
ories green and emulate their virtiu^s and their patriotism ! 



416 



CHAPTER L. 

RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. (Coxtinued.) 
1865—1872. 

Georgia's intrepid Governor, Charles J. Jenkins, knew 
his duty and dared to perform it in the face of Federal bay- 
<nets. He issued an order suspending the collection of 
the taxes by which the bogus Gonvention was trying to 
raise money, and instructed Col. Jones to conceal the State 
funds. 

Only a few days after Gen. Meade's visit, the Governor 
received a letter from him demanding an Executive warrant 
for forty thousand dollars. In his reply, he respectfully 
but positively refused to comply with the demand. So 
Gen. Meade ordered his removal from the office to which 
he had been elected by the people of Georgia, upon the 
ground that he denied the validity of the reconstruction 
laws. 

In a short time after this. Gen. Thomas Ruger, of the 
Federal army, called at the Executive Mansion. It was 
so evident tliat he was reluctant to tell the object of his 
visit, that Gov. Jenkins met him half way by remarking : 
''I have been informed that Gen. Meade has removed me 
from office, and appointed you as Provisional Governor, to 
assume my duties." 

27g 417 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

"That is my business here," said Gen. Ruger, "and I 
hope, Governor, that you will offer no resistance." 

"Before ans\vcring you," responded the GJovernor, "per- 
mit me to ask you a question. Are you instructed, if necesr 
sary, to use force to dispossess me of this office ?" 

Gen. Ruger's face flushed as he replied : "I am, sir; and 
here are my orders." 

Gov. Jenkins quietly inspected the document, which was 
signed by Gen. Meade, and then made the noble reply 
which won for him the title of ''Grand old Roman' : "Sir, 
you have the army of the United States at your back, and I 
can summon not exen a res]>ectable police force. I there- 
fore elect to bow out to you, rather than to a file of soldiers 
with muskets and bayonets; but I denounce this proceeding 
as an outrage upon the rights of this State, and had I an 
adequate force 1 would resist you to the last extremity." 

After some further conversation, Gen. Ruger asked why 
he had suspended the collection of taxes ordered by the 
Convention. Gov. Jenkins declined to render any account 
of his official acts to the new Provisional Governor ap- 
pointed by the military. 

The words used by Gen. Meade in his AXTitten order 
appointing Gen. Ruger, were that he was "detailed for duty 
in the District of Georgia," to be provisional governor. 
This base usurpation of State authority on the part of the 
Federal Government, in time of peace, is without parallel 
in the annals of any government calling itself a republic. 

From the Executive Mansion Gen. Ruger hastened to 
the office of the Treasurer, but he found only an empty 
vault and some old books. As Col. Jones refused to give 
any information, an order was issued for his ai-rest, and a 

418 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

new Treasurer Avas appointed. Gov. Jenkins' order sus- 
pending the collection of taxes was at once revoked. The 
earnings of the State Road were also paid to the bogus 
Treasurer and used for illegal purposes by the usurping 
government. 

In the meantime, Gov. Jenkins had hastily arranged his 
affairs and returned to his home in Augusta. The State 
funds, the Great Seal of Georgia, and some valuable docu- 
ments had been carefully concealed, and never passed into 
the hands of the Federals. 

Our Governor did not sit idly at home and leave his be- 
loved State to her fate, but exhausted every effort to prove 
lliat the reconstruction laws A\'ere unconstitutional. Gen. 
Knger ordered his aiTest, but the officials everywhere in 
the State disregarded the order, and made no effort to inter- 
fere with his movements; but when our Governor discov- 
ered that the Supreme Court of the United States was over- 
awed by the Radicals, and redress at that time was impossi- 
]>le for Georgia's ^vi'ongs, he retired with his family to Nova 
Scotia. 

While Georgia was suffenng from the despotism of the 
Reconstruction Acts of Congress, the aliens who ruled our 
State moved the capital to Atlanta. They hoped that this 
change would win jSTorth Georgia to their interests, but the 
people of that section never for a moment swerved from 
their duty. Atlanta had risen, phenix-like, from its ashes, 
and was again a flourishing town, with as large a population 
as it had possessed before it was burned by Shennan. 

■ It was the policy of the Federals to keep up a semblance 
of law, so they now ordered that there should be an election 
for governor. 

419 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

The Radicals, some time before this, not content with 
having the Federal Government and army at their hack, had 
formed a secret society, called the I:nion League, to influ- 
ence elections in the South. J^J^egroes who were notoriously 
corrupt, held ofhces of trust in Georgia, and ignorant ones 
were put on the grand juries and sat in the legislature. 
There was absolutely no redress in any legitimate way for 
the enormities practiced in our State, and the Ku-klux 
Klan sprang into existence, preserviiig peace and order to 
a large extent by playing on the superstitions of the negroes 
and the low white people. The name originated from imi- 
tating the call of a hen to gather her chickens under her 
wings when danger threatens them. 

The members of this mysterious Ivlan Avere never seen 
except at nigl.t, and then they were always mounted. They 
came and went like phantoms, and the footfall of their 
horses never made a sound, as tlieir hoofs were covered witli 
half-tanned leather, or wrapped in liay which was tied on 
with a piece of cloth. It was a dreadful sight to the igno- 
rant to see a troop of horsemen all shrouded in black and as 
silent as the grave, ride swiftly up to a house, surround it, 
gaze at it earnestly, with red, green and blue lights flashing 
from their bodies, and then melt a"\vay as silently as thev 
had couie. These mastpieraders were always enveloped in 
a loose black robe, with a black calico mask that fell down 
over the shouldere. On top of this mask was sometimes 
w'orn a grotesque or hideous head-dress. On one occasion 
an ingenius Kuklux wore an illuminated skull. 

The Kuklux made a powerful impression on the imagi- 
nation of the ignorant, which neither time, nor a knowledge 
of the means used to frighten people, has been able to en- 
tirely eradicate. 

420 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

Late one night, a negro who was returning home along 
a country road, wit]iont having lieard a sound to break the 
stillness, suddenly found himself by tlie side of a horseman 
who looked to be ten feet in height. He took off his head, 
and in very polite terms asked tlie negro to hold it while he 
arranged his backbone. The face of the negro turned to 
an ashy hue, and without uttering a Avord, he disappeared 
in the woods. 

One of the most awe-inspiring things about the Kuklux 
was their amazing swiftness and ])rofound silence. They 
rarely uttered a word, if they could make a sign answer the 
purpose. One hot night in midsummer, when the silvery 
rays of the full moon were glonfying earth and sky, a soli- 
tary Kuklux rode up to a negro's house and demanded a 
drink of water. The family dared not refuse it, and one 
of them tremblingly carried out a bucket and a dipper. To 
the horror of the spectators, the ])liaut()m raised the bucket 
to his lips and, draining it dry, immediately departed like a 
shadow\ 

Mischief-makers and those who were trying to stir up 
the evil passions of the negroes were warned in a hollow 
and sepulchral voice to qui: the county. Jf the offense was 
stealing, the rogues were told in some blood-curdling man- 
ner that they w^onld have to leave the neighborhood if they 
did not belia\'e themselves, and one admonition conveyed 
in that awful manner was usually sufficient. 

The terror with which the negroes regarded the Kuklux 
Klan produced some ludicrous mistakes. At this time 
Union Point was a small country village, divided betAveen 
the Baptists and the Methodists. An Episcopal clergy- 
man, desiring to have services for the benefit of a few meni- 

421 



GEORGIA L VND AND PEOPLE. 

bers of his elmrch who lived in that vicinity, Ixjrrowed the 
Methodist chnreh for the occasion. His coming created a 
great sensation, as very few of the people had ever heard 
the Episcopal service. Curiosity was so strong that the crowd 
was increased by qnite a large gathering from the country. 
The men collected around the church door waiting for the 
minister; and, as was usual in Georgia, a good many 
negroes were grouped on the outskirts of the crowd to see 
what was going on. Instead of entering the church direct- 
ly, the clergyman approached by a back way, that he 
might have an opportunity to put on his robe behind the 
church. As soon as the negroes caught sight of him com- 
ing around the corner of the building, they yelled, "Ku- 
klux !" "Kuklux !" and in the twinkling of an eye every 
one of them had vanished. 

During these evil days, the negroes held the balance of 
power in CJeorgia, and the ballot-box was guarded by Fed- 
eral bayonets. It was almost impossible to identify the 
average plantation negro, so when the time came for the 
gubernatorial election ordered by the Federals, the Radical 
manager had such as he needed transported from one place 
to another, and the same negro eonld cast several votes with- 
out much fear of detection. 

In spite of all this wickedness, the heroic John B. Gor- 
don, who had been put forward by the Democrats, was 
undoubtedly elected, but the office was awarded to a 
Radical, Rufiis Bullock, who was a native of the State of 
l^few York, Anything that a negro or a Radical would 
swear to, was considered legal evidence by the Federals; so, 
when the election went Democratic, the Radical manager 
of elections, E. Hulburt, wrote to one of his agents : "We 

422 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

want affidavits proving force, fraud and intimidation in 
violation of general orders. We mnst have them, and 
plenty of them. Go to work and get them up at once.'' 

When the nsiirper Avas inaugurated Governor of Georgia, 
Gen. Meade declared military authority at an end; which 
simply meant that Federal officers would not he so con- 
spicuous as formerly, but would ^hide the despotism of their 
Government with tlie cloak of so-called law. 

Before this election came off, early in the summer of 
this year of feverish excitement, an illiterate, disreputable 
Avhite man, named Ashbum, who lived in a low negTO 
quarter in Columbus, was one night killed by an unknown 
mob. As he was an extreme Radical, and had made in- 
cendiary speeches to the negroes, the military at once took 
the matter in hand and arrested, upon mere suspicion, some 
twenty young men of respectable families. There was no 
trial by jury under military despotism, and it was whispered 
that the murder was the work of Kuklux. These young 
men Avere carried to Fort Pulaski, which had been con- 
verted into a military prison, and there thrust into dungeon- 
like cells, whose horrors were scarcely inferior to the Black 
Hole of Calcutta. Xeither beds nor blankets were allowed 
them, and they were tortured by myriads of mosquitoes. 
Their rations were fat pork, and beef which was too un- 
sound to eat. ''J'o each of ihem was given an old oyster can 
in which both soup and coffee were served. They were 
denied all communication with their friends. Afterwards, 
when they were transferred to the McPherson Barracks, in 
Atlanta, the treatment given them was no better. 

If there was one thing more than another that a Carpet- 
bagger and a Scalawag hated, it was a gentleman, and they 

423 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

rejoiced when he was humiliated and treated with indig- 
nity. 

Much cruelty was practiced upon the negro witnesses to 
force them to testify against the Columbus prisoners as the 
Radicals desired. An instruriient of torture was invented, 
called the "sweat-box," and jut in Fort Pulaski. It was 
just large enough to admit the victim, and was arranged 
by screws for compression, so that a force could be brought 
upon the prisoner sufficient to squeeze the breath out of 
him. The box was also provided with a steam apparatus, 
connected with it by ])i]>os. By sini])ly turning a faucet, 
jets of steam were thrown into it until the heat became 
unbearable. Three witnesses suli'ered this torture, one of 
whom was a negro. He, poor soul, cried out in a few min- 
utes, that he would swear anything if they would only let 
him out of that box. 

The torture of prisoners Avithout any sort of trial or any 
evidence against them, fired the heart, of Georgia for many 
years, and caused it to tlirob with indignation. 

Finally, when the military gave way to the Kadical Gov- 
ernor, Gen. Meade issued an order adjourning the military 
commission that was trying the Columbus prisoners, and 
they w'ere turned over to the civil law. Alexander H. 
Stephens, Martin J. Crawford, Gen. Benning, and several 
other prominent lawyers Avhom Georgia has delighted to 
honor, became counsel for the prisoners. At last, these 
innocent young men were released on bond, permitted 
to return home, and the matter Avas dropped. 

Under Rufus Bidlock, our beloved State w^as given over 
to the hands of carpetbaggers and scalawags, whose con- 
duct was more outrageous than ever before. These penni- 

424 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

legs adventurers heaped injuries and insults upon our peo- 
ple, and robbed the very negroes whom they were using 
as an instrument to uphold their power. 

When crimes were committed by their followers, means 
were always found to exem])t them from punishment, while 
stories of the brutality of (Jeorgians to their negroes were 
industriously manufactured, and sent to the Republicans as 
stock in trade for their party. The more hideous the tale, 
the more it was relished at the North, and each one was 
rolled as a sweet morsel under their tongues. 

The acts of the Congress of the Ujiited States, each year 
after the war ended, justified more and more emphatically 
the necessity that was placed upon Georgia to sever her con- 
nection with the Federal Union, in order to maintain her 
honor and her self-respect, even at the expense of wounds 
and desolations and death! Time, the great Mother of 
Truth, will vindicate the position of our State. 



425 



CHAPTER LI. 

RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. (Concluded.) 
1865 — 1872. 

The State Democratic Convention and the Legislature 
both met in Atlanta in July, 1868. Many of our leading 
public men were there, and it was thought to be a suitable 
occasion for a political mass-meeting. About twenty thou- 
sand Georgians gathered on that memorable occasion, which 
witnessed the largest mass-meeting ever before held in our 
State. To accommodate the crowd, an immense bush arbor 
was erected in what was then a large, open space on Ala- 
bama street. The four orators were Gen. Howell Cobb, 
Gen. Robert Toombs, Hon. Benjamin H. Hill, and Col. 
Raphael J. .Closes. They hurled their anathemas against 
the Reconstruction Acts, in fiery addresses that were after- 
wards called the '"Bush Arbor Speeches." Mr. Hill had 
already revived the drooping spirits of the Democracy by 
the trumpet blast of his "Is'otes on the Situation," and men 
were eager to hear what further message he had for them. 
He came grandly to the front, and displayed his splendid 
eloquence in denouncing the usurpation of power by the 
Federal Congress. 

Although it was a hot summer day and the hard plank 
benches in the arbor were uncomfortable to the last degree, 
they were clasely packed. Georgians sat there for five 

426 



EECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

li(Hirs, micoiiscioiis of tlie lapse of time, as tliej enthusiasti- 
cally listened to the burning eloquence of those speakers, 
and overwhelmed them Avith applause whenever thev gave 
the Reconstructionists a hard thrust. It was noted that 
among the audience were many ladies, who hung with rapt 
attention upon the words of the orators. 

There had never been in Georgia an era of more uni- 
versal excitement than the present. The Legislature which 
was now in session was not entirely under Radical influ- 
ence, and a vote of the majority expelled the ineligible 
negroes who had been seated. This action put the 
bogus Governor, the other Radicals in Georgia, and the 
United States Congress in a ferment. The Reconstruction 
Committee sat, and, by the next year, Georgia was declared 
to be in a state of rebellion and was again put under mili- 
tary rule. 

October 9th, 1868, four days after the Legislature 
adjourned, Gen. Howell Cobb died of heart disease in ]Srew 
York City. The suddenness of his death was a great shock 
to our whole State, where he had so long been loved and 
honored. Georgia mourned him as a favorite son, for 
he had alwa\s defended her with sword, pen, and elo- 
quent tongue. He was comparatively a young man when 
he was first elected to the Congress of the United States, 
but he soon took a high position among the leaders of his 
party, and eventually, as a statesman, became one of the 
political ligllt^! of America. 

Again, in ISC.O, with glaring inconsistency, Georgia was 
called upon to ratify another Constitutional Amendment, 
the Fifteenth, by which negroes could hold office; yet it was 
declared by the Federal ('ongre>> that Georgia was not a 

State. 

427 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

It was the poliev of the Tiadieals to iiiibitter Georgians 
and their negroes, but in this nnholy design they never 
succeeded to any apprecialjle extent. Still, they continu- 
ally made the effort, and ''the Southern outrages" weapon 
was freely used, the bogus (iovonior giving his official sanc- 
tion to the slanders. 

The Federal General, Terry, was now in command in 
Georgia; but Rufus Bullock, without any authority, issued 
a proclamation calling the legislature to assemble, and 
signed himself "Provisional Governor," though he had not 
received that appointment from (\ ingress. The Legisla- 
ture which convened under these circumstances, in Janu- 
ary, 1870, was a parody on government. The Radical, 
Benjamin Conley, who was President of the Senate, said 
in his address to that body : ''The Government has deter- 
mined that in this re])ubli( — wliich is not, never was, and 
never can ])o a denioei-acy — tliat in this vojinblic, Re])nbli- 
cans shall inle." 

A Federal officer sending his orders to the House of 
Representatives that such and such members could not be 
seated, was one of the strange acts now witnessed. The 
arbitrary measures and lawlessness of this body of men 
were an outrage on decency, and many disgraceful scenes 
occurred. Democrats woi-c t'lrnod out and negroes seated, 
for no other reason than that the Radicals so willed it. A 
Democratic senator was not allowed to take his seat, be- 
cause he had sold beef to Confederate soldiers. Things 
went from bad to worse until the bogus (Jovernor obtained 
entire control of the Legislature, and all honest Republi- 
cans were disgusted witli their own work. Afterwards, a 
Republican from Georgia, in a speeeh before the United 

428 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

States Senate, tlnis spoke of this legislature : ''Men looked 
amazed and aghast. If there ever were Knklux in Geor- 
gia, it occurred to irie that this was about the time they 
ought to have shown themselves — when a stranger, a man 
wholly a stranger to the Legislature, and almost to the 
whole people of the State, appeared there and occupied the 
chair of the Speaker, thundering out his edicts to the rep- 
resentatives of the people, ordering them to disperse and 
begone to their homes, adjourning them at his pleasure and 
calling them back when he pleased, and these obedient ser- 
vants of the people going and doing his behests! Why, 
sir, the scene was pitiable !" 

The aliens wlio were now running the State Government 
were guilty of a frightful degree of fraud in every depart- 
ment. Corruption ran rampant, and they tried to drag 
this grand old State to the lowest depths of degradation by 
publishing to the world that it was ravaged by the Ivuklux 
Klan. To give some color to the tale, a number of citizens 
from jSTorth Georgia had been dragged from their homes 
and humiliated by imprisonment in Atlanta. An exami- 
nation showed not a vestige of evidence against them, and 
they had to be released. 

Backed by Ignited States bayonets, and with their 
hands up to the elbows in the treasury of Georgia, the 
Garpetbaggers squandered money for bribes, for ])rivate 
entertainments, for personal aggrandizement and ambition, 
and Georgia people had to foot the l)ills — their enemies, in 
triumph, gloating over their defenseless condition. 

While these disgraceful scenes were being enacted in our 
beloved State, Georgia's Governor was an exile, and her 



429 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

sons could only look on with liorror at the misdeeds of the 
men in power. Thev had no alternative bnt to adopt the 
Fabian policy of watching and waiting. 

At length, the evil conduct and mismanagement of the 
Carpetbaggers in control, became so notorious that the 
Federal Congress was forced to investigate the matter. 
The corruption of Rufus Bullock was proved, but he was 
not deprived of his power — only a vote of censure being 
passed upon him. 

In the summer of this year, the Democrats held a Con- 
vention in Atlanta. Gen. Alfred H. Colquitt, who had illus- 
trated Georgia on the battle-fields of two States, was elected 
President. Many prominent Georgians who had taken no 
active part in public affairs since the war, appeared in this 
Convention, the object of which was to consolidate party 
elements in opjiosition to the rule of Carpetbaggers. There 
were now, as ahvays, shades of political difference among 
Georgians, but they all called themselves Democrats in 
their fight Avith the Republicans. Standing squarely upon 
the old platform of the sovereignty of the State, the mem- 
bers of the Convention invited all Georgians to unite ^\dtll 
them in a zealous effort to change the usurping and corrupt 
administration of the State Government. When the elec- 
tions came off in the fall, in si>ite of the military guards at 
the polls to influence votes, the Democratic majority was 
large. 

While this canvass was in progress, the illustrious Con- 
federate General, Robert E. Lee, died. Georgia shared 
the profound grief felt by the whole South at the loss of 
this renowned chieftain, and paid appropriate honors to 
liis memorv. In Savannah, when the sad news was known 

430 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

the performances were discontinued at several places of 
amusement, and the audiences sadly dispersed to their 
liomes. It was in this city that Gen. Lee performed his first 
military service, when he was a young lieutenant of engi- 
neers, just graduated from West Point; and again, in the 
war between the States, the ''Forest City" was his home 
while he was commander of the defenses on the Southera 
coast. 

As soon as the Ivepublicans learned the results of the fall 
elections they pronounced them illegal. The 8th Con- 
gressional District, which Alexander II. Stephens had ren- 
dered famous, was declared to be in a state of rebellion and 
put under martial law. Linton Stephens, ex-justice of 
the Supreme Court of Georgia, was ordered to be arrested. 
He had been very prominent in the Democratic Conven- 
tion, and also in organizing the elections throughout the 
State, and had especially taken an active part in preventing 
illegal voting in Sparta, where he resided. He voluntarily 
answered to the warrant Avithout arrest, as soon as he heard 
of the order. 

He was carried before Commissioner Swayze, a Federal 
(^arpetbag officer at Macon. The speech in which he made 
his defense was matchless. ''The wealth of all forensic 
literature may be searched in vain for a performance that 
surpasses it in point of genuine manliness, civil courage, 
nervous English and the eloquence of patriotic fervor, or 
cogent, compact, red-hot logic.'' This remarkable speech 
ended with these patriotic words: "If angry power de- 
mands a sacrifice from those who have thwarted its fraudu- 
lent pui-poses, I feel honored, sir, in being selected as the 
victim. If my suffering could arouse my countrymen to a 

431 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

just and loftv indignation against the despotism which, in 
attacking me, is bnt assailing law, order and constitutional 
government, T would not shrink from the sacrifice, though 
my blood should be required instead of my liberty I" 

Judge Stephens was dismissed under bond, to appear 
before the next Federal court in Savannah. At this terhi 
of the court the indictment was ignored by the grand jury 
and nothing more was ever heard of the matter. 

The Carpetbaggers, who were still in power, saw that 
the Georgians were surely, even though slowly, getting con- 
trol. A Democratic victory meant an inquiry into their 
mismanagement. Knowing that their acts would not bear 
investigation, they stuck together and made one last desper- 
ate effort to keep in power. Their most effective weapons 
in the fight were still "Southern outrages" and "the horrors 
of the Kuklux Klau," that "band of secret assassins." It 
certainly was not a good showing for the Federal Govern- 
ment, nor for the Ci^rpetbaggers, with unlimited jwwer, 
and the United States army at their back, that none of these 
criminals were ever caught and brought to justice. Does 
it not prove that the "Slander-mill" was but another politi- 
cal machine of the Republican party? 

AVhile these events were progressing, and the Republican 
edifice in Georgia — which had been erected on such a false 
foundation — was toppling to its ruin, the bogus Governor, 
with great secrecy, resigned, turning over his office to one 
of his confederates, Benjamin Conley. He then fled from 
the State, a fugitive from justice. It was seven days after 
his flight before it was known to the public, and then he 
was beyond pursuit. It must be home in mind that none 
of the official acts of this usurper were legal. 

432 



RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 

An investigation of State affairs showed an unparalleled 
degree of corruption, and that Georgia had been saddled 
with an enormous debt. The incredible sum of two mil- 
lion dollars was spent in one year upon the State Road 
alone. The Carpetbagger, Foster Blodgett, was superin- 
tendent of the Eoad, and he used it to advance Radical 
power. Over a thousand names of officers appeared upon 
its pay-roll, many of whom had never rendered any service 
whatever; they were simply political employees, retained 
to assist in keeping the Carpetbaggers in power, and they 
had lived off the people whom they so vilely oppressed. 

"When the legislature met and was organized, James M. 
Smith, a gallant Georgia Colonel in the w^ar between the 
States, was chosen Speaker of the House. Benjamin Con- 
ley, who was playing the role of Governor, should have 
resigned — according to law — as his term as President of 
the Senate had expired, but he refused to do so. With 
wonderful patience, the Democrats in the legislature de- 
clined to wrangle over the matter, but left it to the people 
of Georgia to decide by calling an election for Governor, to 
be held during the following December. Col. James M. 
Smith was put forward by the Democrats and elected. He 
had no opposition. The Republicans, with the odium upon 
them of the rascalities of carpetbag government, nomi- 
nated one of their number, James Atkins, but he declined 
to make the canvass. 

For years Georgia had been groaning under woes and 
insults innumerable — had been ruled by foreigners hostile 
to her interests — but she had grappled bravely with Radical- 
ism and fought it whenever opportunity offered. Three 
times had civil law been set aside in this State and martial 
28ff 433 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

law imposed upon it; seven times had the President and the 
Congress of the United States bent their energies to keep 
this impoverished connnonwealth in the condition of a con- 
quered province; Init this had been impossible, and once 
again Georgia was under the control of her own sons. 

James M. Smith; the successor of Gov. Jenkins, was inau- 
gurated January 12th, 1872, amid universal rejoicing. It 
will be noted that when the Confederate soldiers were 
allowed to vote, they rallied to the rescue of their beloved 
State and delivered it from Carpetbaggers, Scalawags and 
bayonet rule. 

These aliens left Georgia Avithout funds with which to 
Carry on the Government, and without credit. In this 
emergency. Gen. Toombs and some other gentlemen sup- 
plied the necessary money until taxes were collected. 

When Georgia was redeemed from military despotism, 
Gov. Jenkins returned from his exile. A full and just 
account of the State funds was rendered, and the Great 
Seal and the valuable documents were returned. The 
letter of the "grand old Roman" to Gov. Smith concluded 
as follows: "The removal of the books and papers was 
simply a cautionary measure for my own protection. Not 
so with the Seal. That was a symbol of the Executive 
authority, and although devoid of intrinsic material valuQ, 
was hallowed by a sentiment which forbade its surrender 
to unauthorized hands. 

"Afterwards, whilst I was in Washington vainly seeking 
the interposition of the Supreme Court, a formal, written 
demand was made upon me by Gen. Euger for a return of 
these articles, vnih. which I declined to comply. 

"The books and papers I herewith transmit to your Ex- 

434 



RECONSTRUCTION PEULOD. 

cellency, that they may resume their places among the 
archives of the State. With them I also deliver to you 
the Seal of the Executive Department. I derive high satis- 
faction from the reflection that it has never been desecrated 
by the grasp of a military usurper'' s hand, never been pros- 
tituted to authenticate official misdeeds of an upstart pre- 
tender. Unpolluted as it came to me, J gladly place it in 
the hands of a worthy son of Georgia, her freely chosen 
Executive, my first legitimate successor." 

The courage and integrity of Gov. Jenkins were fully 
appreciated by the legislature then in session, and they 
enthusiastically endorsed his conduct in a series of resolu- 
tions; a fac-simile of the Great Seal, wrought in solid 
gold, was presented to him in the name of the grateful peo- 
ple whose rights he had so bravely defended. The gold 
seal had the words "In Arduis Fidelis" engraved upon its 
face. Words were never more descriptive of character, 
and to-day they are carved upon his monument. 

Gov. Jenkins was nearly seventy years of age when he 
received this testimonial from Georgia. In accepting it, he 
said : "I would not exchange it for star or garter, or other 
badge of knighthood — nor yet for highest patent of nobility 
ever bestowed by king upon subject." 

As Judge of the Supreme Court and Cxovernor of Geor- 
gia his record was bright and stainless, and the annals of 
Greece and Eome can show no finer example of matchless 
-fidelity ! One of the most glorious chapters in the history 
of this proud commonwealth, is the fearless patriotism of 
Charles J. Jenkins, the hero of the reconstruction period. 



435 



CHAPTER LIL 

REBUILDING THE STATE. 

1872—1880. 

It must awaken a feeling of pride in tlie lieart of every 
Georgian to read the story of how the people of this com- 
monwealth, mth unbroken spirits, undaunted courage and 
imperishable hope, passed through that terrible crucible of 
misfortune, when the attempt was made to wrest their desti- 
nies from their control, when there was no protection of 
property or security of person in this State, and when its 
very name was blotted out by Act of Congress. It has 
been lecorded how bravely they breasted the tide of adver- 
sity, until their efforts were cro^^med with success and they 
had established the rights, the honor and the dignity of 
Georgia. All her true sons rallied to the standard that had 
GEORGIA emblazoned upon it? folds. Above their sup- 
port of one man or opposition to another, arose their devo- 
tion to this commonwealth. Thus, in the hour of her bitter 
trial was our beloved State more fortunate than that great 
republic of antiquity, of which in a momentous crisis it was 
so truly said : "There was a party for Caesar, a party for 
Pompey and a party for Brutus, but no party for Rome !" 

Georgia had lost nearly half the accumulated capital of 
a century; but her sons and daughters had gone bravely to 

436 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

work to rebuild the waste places, which once more were be- 
ginning to blossom like the rose. Even in the midst of her 
poverty, educational interests were not neglected, and the 
mint at Dahlonega had become the l^orth Georgia Agricul- 
tural College. 

The rights of a sovereign State were now conceded to 
Georgia by the Federal Government; but it will be noted 
that the Constitution of the United States, as framed by our 
forefathers, had been materially changed, and union by 
consent, as far as Georgia was concerned, had ceased to 
exist. 

It was about this time that the Legislature elected Gen. 
John B. Gordon to the United States Senate, The interest 
in his election was so great, that the galleries were crowded, 
and, when the result w^as announced, there was the Avildest 
enthusiasm. Thus did Georgia delight to honor the Con- 
federate soldier ! In the Senate he was soon recognized as 
an eloquent and leading member of the Democratic party. 

At the same time, Alexander II. Stephens, after an ab- 
sence of thirteen years, took his seat in the Federal Con- 
gress as Representative. He was elected and re-elected, un- 
til at length he became popularly kno^^m as the "Great 
Commoner." On one occasion, when he was a candidate 
for re-election, an impatient constituent asked : 

"What are you doing in Congress, anyway? We don't 
see much use in sending you back, as it seems, when you 
are there, you can't do anything for us." 

Mr. Stephens' wonderful patience was a marked char- 
acteristic, and his great heart always beat in sympathy with 
his people, so he replied mildly : "My friend, I don't ask 
your suffrage for Avhat I have done, but for what I have 

kept the Republicans from doing." 

437 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

TLe first reunion of Confederate soldiers ever lield was 
by the Third Georgia Regiment, at Union Point, in the 
summer of 1874, It was at the suggestion of Capt. C. H. 
Andrews and his comrades of Company D. The object 
was simply to renew a comradeship formed amid the stern 
realities of war, and to perpetuate the glorious record of a 
regiment whose battle-flag was never touched by hostile 
hands, though the Third Georgia participated in every im- 
portant engagement of the army of Northern Virginia, 
from Malvern Hill to Appomattox. 

Union Point offered her fair grounds for the occasion, 
and tendered the veterans the hospitality of the village, 
giving them a grand banquet. The old regimental flag, 
pierced and torn, but never surrendered, was stretched 
across the stage where the orators of the day were seated. 
Claiborne Snead, of Augusta, the surviving Colonel, deliv- 
ered a glowing address which evinced great patriotism and 
expressed much pride in his regiment. 

Pollowing the example of the 3d Georgia, reunions 
soon became general all over the South. As the central 
purpose of each organization was historical, their meetings 
have kept history from being falsified. 

That Georgia loves her old soldiers is shown by the fact 
that she is the only State that has provided pensions for 
their widows, and that all disabled soldiers can do business 
within her boundaries without paying such license as the 
law may require of other persons. Here, "young and old 
venerate the heroic memories of the Confederate struggle 
for independence, and children's children will learn with 
their earliest breath to lisp the names of the great chief- 
tains of the South, and vnth their youngest emotions to 
admire and emulate their illustrious examples." 

438 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

Gov. James M. Smith, formerly Colonel of the 13th 
Georgia Eegiment, after doing good service for the State 
at a critical period, was now succeeded by Gen. Alfred H. 
Colquitt. Such was the enthusiasm created by the nomi- 
nation of this distinguished Confederate soldier, that it 
swept over the State like a tidal wave, and he was given the 
largest majority ever polled in Georgia. 

This was the year to elect a President of the United 
States, and the same great majority was given in Georgia 
to the Democratic candidate. Some Democratic clubs in 
Texas had challenged any State to show a larger majority 
than their commonwealth; Georgia won the trophy, which 
was a magnificent silk banner. 

When Georgia's sons had freed her from military rule, 
true to their traditional generosity, they turned to help 
South Carolina and Louisiana when they were groaning 
under the heel of the despot. Gen. John B. Gordon, in 
the United States Senate, spoke bravely for South Carolina 
when she was misrepresented by her slanderers. He ren- 
dered so many other important services to that State, that 
the ladies of Columbia presented him with a testimonial of 
their appreciation. It was a sterling silver baptismal font 
for his youngest born, whom he had named Carolina. It 
was made in a novel but beautiful shape, having on one 
side the amis of South Carolina, and on the other side those 
of Georgia, with appropriate inscriptions. 

The people of Georgia now began to discuss the pro- 
priety of calling a Convention to frame a new Constitution, 
as they were unwilling to live under the one that had been 
adopted at the dictation of Federal bayonets. 



439 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

In July, 1877, there assembled in Atlanta the ablest 
body of men that had met in Georgia since the Secession 
Convention. This Convention was composed of some of 
the strongest and best men in our State, among whom were 
seventeen judges. There was a strong representation of 
the old men who had served Georgia both before and dur- 
ing the war. The President of the Convention was Ex- 
Gov. Jenkins, now over seventy years of age. The young 
members were in perfect sympathy with the old men; they 
all worked together for the good of the State, and framed 
and adopted the present Constitution of Georgia. Gen. 
Toombs was one of the leading spirits in the Convention. 
He inaugurated the Railroad Commission law, and left his 
impress in other ways upon the new Constitution. This 
instrument, framed by the free will of Georgia people, pro- 
hibits any increase of the public debt or any use of the peo- 
ple's money except for State Government. 

This Convention finally disposed of the question of cer- 
tain fraudulent bonds which the Radicals had saddled upon 
Georgia. Agreeing with the Supreme Court and the 
Legislature, that Georgia could make no compromise with 
corruption, they declared the bogus bonds to be null and 
void. 

The bankers in New York City who were identified with 
Bullock and Kimball in their financial operations in Geor- 
gia, misrepresented the facts and slandered our State 
through the Press to suppress any investigations, but they 
did not succeed. Georgia insisted on a careful inquiry 
into the facts, for the bonds were either legal or fraudulent, 
and she was determined to have the truth. When they 
were proved beyond all question to be fraudulent, Georgia 

440 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

stoutly refused to shoulder a contract of bayonet and Car- 
petbag usurpation. While the validity of the bonds was 
being tried by the Court, Eufus Bullock did not appear 
to give his evidence for their solvency. Why did he not 
come forward, stand his trial, and tell the court what he 
knew about the matter, or protest against their verdict? 
He thought it more prudent to remain still in a distant 
State and keep in hiding from the just indignation of Geor- 
gians. 

When the bogus bonds w^ere first issued, Gen. Toombs, 
in his uncompromising war upon them, said with prophetic 
ken that the day would come when ^'we will adopt a new 
Constitution with a clause repudiating these bonds, and like 
Etna spew the monstrous frauds out of the market"; after 
many days, the joyous time had arrived, and Georgia did, 
indeed, renounce the contract made by bayonet usurpation 
rather than by the act of her people. 

When the Convention was in the midst of its labors, and 
while there was yet much to be done, the money appro- 
priated by the Legislature for their expenses was ex- 
hausted. In this crisis. Gen. Toombs furnished the neces- 
sary funds from his private purse. Every man in the Con- 
vention rose to his feet to vote him thanks. Of all that 
assembly, he alone remained seated, covering his face with 
his hands to hide the tears that started to his eyes at this 
quick recognition of his patriotism. 

When the new Constitution was submitted to a vote of 
the people, it was ovei-whelmingly adopted. At the same 
time, the question was left to the people what town should 
be the capital. There was quite a lively contest between 
Milledgeville and Atlanta. The latter received a majority 

441 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

of the votes and so became legally the capital of Georgia. 
Since that time, the city has continued to grow and prosper 
with marvellous rapidity. 

Later on, the old State-House and grounds at Milledge- 
ville were turned over to the Trustees of the University for 
the purpose of establishing a branch college for Middle 
Georgia, which is now a large and prosperous institution. 

The Legislature which met this year elected Hon. Ben- 
jamin H. Hill to the United States Senate. He had been 
a representative for two years; he had also served in the- 
Confederate Senate during the whole period of the war 
between the States, and had acquired honor and distinction 
in both bodies. He continued in the United States Senate 
until his death. It was said of him that "upon his lips had 
the mystic bee dropped the honey of persuasion." He was 
emphatically a Georgian, and if honey hung upon his lips, 
Georgia bees gathered it from her own flowers and hoarded 
it there. 

As this period drew to a close, Georgia was occupied with 
the full restoration of her material resources and financial,' 
position, in which she met with signal success. 



44: 



CHAPTER LIII. 

REBUILDING THE STATE. (Continued.) 
1880—1890. 

Georgia now began to make some progress towards a per- 
manent prosperity, in spite of the fact that she was paying 
annually five million dollars as her share of the war 
tax exacted by the I'ederal Government, not one cent of 
which was distribu ted within her borders, and much of 
which was used to pay pensions to the Federal soldiers who 
had invaded her territory and destroyed her property. 

Firm in her self-reliance, Georgia could afford to wait 
for justice. The war had retarded her enterprises for full 
fifty years, but her manufacturing interests were building 
up in all parts of the State, and commerce was flourishing. 
She had fine public schools in every county, with Dr. Gus- 
tavus J. Orr, a man of ability and character, as State School 
Commissioner; she had a continually extending railroad 
system, and her valuable mines were being developed. All 
this was the work of Georgia people, proud of the resources 
of their State and true to her historic traditions. 

Our negroes have saved Georgia from an influx of the 
laboring classes of Europe, who are unwilling to compete 
with them. Thus, immigration is so slow that the strangers 
who settle here become Georgians, instead of our State 
being dominated by foreign customs and foreign ideas, and 
Georgia land is saved for Georgia people. 

44:5 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

In the first year of this decade, Gen. Colquitt made his 
second race for Governor. Some of his acts as Executive 
had been so unpopular that he encountered much opposi- 
tion. One of the issues raised against him was that he had 
appointed ex-Gov. Joseph E. Brown to fill the unexpired 
term of Gen. John B. Gordon, who had resigned his seat 
in the United States Senate. 

Many of our leading men were engaged in this guber- 
natorial campaign, which was heated and bitter. Gen. 
Heniy E. Jackson, who had taken no part in politics since 
the war, came forward now and threw the whole weight of 
his high character, poetic diction and matchless eloquence 
into the scale for Colquitt. Gov. Colquitt was re-elected 
by a handsome majority, and the legislature endorsed his 
course by returning Gov. Brown to the United States Sen- 
ate. 

This legislature also elected James Jackson (who was 
one of the associate justices) Chief-Justice of the Supreme 
Court. He had made a fine record before the war between 
the States, both as judge of the Superior Court and member 
of Congress. Very fond of the law, with a vigorous intellect, 
a large, sympathetic heart and clean hands, he was emi- 
nently fitted to wear the ermine. 

He was a grandson of that illustrious James Jackson 
who was a general in the Revolutionary war, who had a seat 
in the United States Senate when it was an honor to be 
there, who assisted in exposing the Yazoo fraud, and who 
was once Governor of this great State. So, by right of 
inheritance, Chief-Justice Jackson loved justice and hated 
fraud and deceit. In his decisions he employed feeling 
as well as thought. "It is perhaps not unusual to find men 

444 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

with great power of mind associated witli defective mora) 
powers, or to find men of great power of feeling associated 
with weakness of intellect; but here were strength of mind 
and moral stamina together. Thus equipped, thus armed, 
he did his work with skill, fidelity and power." It is an 
onerous and responsible position to be the head of the ad- 
ministration of Georgia's laws, but the new Chief -Justice 
filled the place with eminent success. May his spotless 
character be an enduring example for his young country- 
men! 

In October, 1881, Georgia became prominent before the 
world in the International Cotton Exposition, which wa& 
held for three months in Atlanta, a city, at that time, with 
less than fifty thousand inhabitants. This was the first 
great exposition ever held in the South. 

The site selected for the buildings became known as 
Oglethorpe Park, a beautiful piece of ground at a conven- 
ient distance from the city. The "niain building" was in 
the shape of a Greek cross, with wings; it was constructed 
as a model cotton factory without any ornamentation or 
elaborate finish, but simply showing an edifice adapted to 
manufacturing cotton in the South. There were several 
other large buildings, so that the exhibits covered twenty 
acres of floor space. 

Cotton-seed were obtained from all parts of the world 
where the plant flourishes — from Asia, Africa and the isles 
of the sea — so that the royal staple that clothes the world 
could be seen in all stages of its culture in well-arranged 
plats. The foreign plants, preserving their peculiar char- 
acteristics, grew side by side with Georgia cotton. 



445 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Experiments showed that the South was the favored 
home of this plant "whose growth is the idyllic poem of 
our people, and its mature existence a system of political 
economy. It is the source of the hoarse shout of the steam 
engine; it is the melody of the soft song of the spindle and 
loom; it is the fairy of the waterfall; it is warmth, it is 
comfort, it is beauty. It is the pride of our fields, the 
source of our wealth, the king of our commerce." 

Bags, bales and packages of cotton from foreign coun- 
tries were exhibited, showing how the natives prepared it 
for market. There was also a truly wonderful display of 
every kind of machinery used in manufacturing cotton. 
].)istant States sent fine specimens of their woods, minerals 
and agricultural products; and there were also exhibits of 
the commerce and manufactures of the world. Every- 
thing that could be raised on a Georgia plantation was 
there, with woods from our forests and ores from our mines. 
From the gold belt of our State was shown the precious 
metal — in combination, free gold, and nuggets — with the 
machinery used in extracting it. 

The Exposition was opened with most imposing cere- 
monies in the presence of an immense crowd. When it was 
presented to the public, Georgia's Governor, Alfred H. 
Colquitt, formally received it in a short, but eloquent 
address. 

Ex-Gov.. Vance, of ISTorth Carolina, at this time a United 
States Senator, delivered the speech of welcome, in which 
he thus referred to the recuperative power of Georgia and 
the other Southern States: "To every one present or to 
come, we extend a southern Avelcome, warm as our sun- 
shiin;, and bid him behold what can be done by a land 

446 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

whose fields were but yesterday 'kneaded into bloody sods 
by the maddening wheels of artillery,' whose beasts of bur- 
den were swept away by devastating armies, whose noblest 
sons were slaughtered in battle, whose homes were burned 
with fire and whose governments have passed through an 
era of corruption worse than anarchy. We invite you with 
pride to witness these conclusive tests of the genial nature 
of our climate, the fertility of our soil, the energy of our 
people, the conservative vitality of our political institutions; 
in short, we invite you to see that we have renewed our 
youth at the fountains of industry and found the hills of 
gold in the energies of an imperishable race." 

The ceremonies were appropriately closed with a poem 
written by Paul Hamilton Hayne. Then the big Corliss 
engine began to throb, the machinery to move, and the first 
Cotton Exposition of the world was opened. 

Among the Southern States, Georgia ranks second in 
raising cotton, and, after New Orleans, Savannah is the 
largest cotton market in the world; so the Exposition was 
a great event in Georgia's history, and it gave considerable 
impetus to her prosperity. After the fair was over, the 
buildings were utilized as a cotton factory, the name of 
which. Exposition Mills, tells the tale of its origin. 

As Gov. Colquitt's administration drew to a close, white- 
winged Peace and smiling Prosperity rested upon Georgia's 
broad domain, and her sons were enjoying the fruits of their 
labors. But a loss that Georgia could ill afford at this 
time, soon cast its dark shadow over the whole State. 

In the solemn stillness of the early dawn of an August 
day, Hon. Benjamin H. Hill died after a long and distress- 
ing illness. Gov. Colquitt ordered the capitol to be draped 

447 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

in mourning and the flag to be displayed at half-mast. On 
the day of the funeral business was suspended in our cities 
and towns, and to the tolling of church bells the citizens 
gathered to give expression to their sorrow. In Atlanta, 
his home at the time of his death, private houses as well 
as the public buildings wore the insignia of mourning. 
Thousands came from every part of the State to participate 
in the last sad rites, and the streets were thronged with a 
sorrowful multitude. 

As patriot and statesman, Benjamin Harvey Hill was 
the peer of Crawford, Troup, Forsyth and Berrien. Geor- 
gia guards his ashes well, and. his fame is among her proud- 
est treasures. Friend and foe paid beautiful tributes to his 
splendid intellect and superb oratory. As eulogies were 
pronounced over him, the story of his fame rehearsed, and 
tender farewell words were spoken, he received no higher 
praise than the simple statement : "He loved Georgia." 

Soon after the death of "Ben Hill," as his admirers loved 
to call him, a movement was begun by the people of Geor- 
gia to erect to his memory a monument which should stand 
in the capital of the State. The necessary funds were to be 
raised by very small contributions, so that every citizen 
]iiight have the privilege of contributing. A gentleman, 
remarking that to give to the Hill monument was a pleasure 
which he wished all his family to share, suggested that each 
of his children should give twenty-five cents, and each of 
his negroes ten cents, which was cheerfully done. This 
incident illustrates the universal feeling of the State in this 
matter. 

When the legislature met in the fall of 1882, Gov. Col- 
quitt's term having expired, he was sent to the United, 

448 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

States Senate. Alexander 11. Stephens, "the sage of Lib- 
■erty HalF' — now passed his seventieth year — was his suc- 
cessor. He resigned his seat in Congress to accept the 
nomination for Governor, and was elected by a majority of 
sixty thousand. 

Since the capital had been changed to Atlanta, a build- 
ing known as Kimball's Opera House had been used as a 
State-House, and it was called the capitol. There the oath 
of oflice was administered to Gov. Stephens by Chief 
tlustice James Jackson, in the presence of the legislature 
in joint session. Gov. Colquitt, the State-House officers. 
Justices, Gen. Toombs, and a part of Georgia's delegation 
to the United States Congress were on the stage, and a 
large audience in the galleries. Gov. Stephens received 
the Great Seal of the State, around which heroic memories 
jiow clustered, and delivered it to Secretary of State Bar- 
nett. The new Governor's inaugural address was a mas- 
terly appeal for the maintenance of State's Rights. 

As a part of the ceremonial the band played "Dixie." 
It had now become an established custom in Georgia, that 
this national air of the South should be given at least once 
on all public occasions. 

In his private and political character Gov. Stephens was 
a model of purity, and liis genius shown like a planet 
with steady rays. He had served Georgia since his 
early manhood ; and when he became her Chief Magistrate 
he threw his whole heart into the office, never neglecting 
the smallest detail that should demand his attention. Few 
public men have loved Georgia and her people so ardently. 
Education was a subject that deeply interested him, and for 
years he had at his private expense kept a number of young 
men at school. 

29g 449 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

To foster education has ever been one of the distin- 
guishing characteristics of our people. The land is dotted 
with altars dedicated to leai-ning. Our chief gala days 
have always been the annual commencements. On these 
occasions, the statesman, the lawyer, the planter, the divine, 
the physician, the journalist, the teacher, the merchant, the 
mechanic, the old and the young crowd the academic halls. 
This devotion to knowledge is one of the germs of Georgia's 
greatness. How much nobler are such festive occasions 
than the Olympic games of Greece and the gladiatorial 
contests of Rome! 

O, young Georgians, "knowledge is power"; but intelli- 
gence without virtue and patriotism can never lead to the 
highest individual development, nor place your State- upon 
that lofty pinnacle of fame for which all her true sons are 
striving! ; i 



450 



CHAPTER UV. 

REBUILDING THE STATE. (Coxtixued.) 
1880—1890. 

While Alexander H. Stephens was Governor, the 150th 
anniversary of the settlement of Georgia drew near, and 
It was decided to celebrate the day in a manner worthy of 
the State. "^ 

Historic Savannah, the birthplace of the colony destined 
to become a mighty sovereign State, was selected to be the 
scene of the festivities. This city was the home of a race 
antedating the Indians; here Tomo-chi-chi and Oglethorpe 
passed throngh the streets in friendly converse; here "Lib- 
erty boys" and "Eed Coats" rnshed together in deadly con- 
flict; and here Confederate heroes for four years kept the 
Federal fleet at bay, imtil at last, from the land side, the 
"Blue coats" seized the nest after the eagle had flown. 

Savannah was for two days given up to this anniversary, 
which is called the Sesqui-centennial. The principal 
streets were elaborately decorated, and there was a splendid 
military pageant, with Col. C. W. Anderson, grand mar- 
shal. There were civil processions, too, and flags and 
banners, and fireworks and banquets. The city was 
crowded with visitors, as children gathering to celebrate 
their mother's natal day._ The most unique feature of the 
occasion was a realistic representation of the landing of 
Oglethorpe and his reception by the Yamacraws. 

451 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

A perfect mass of humanity watclied with intense inter- 
est as a small vessel — symbolical of the Anne, on which 
Oglethorpe and the colonists arrived one hundred and fifty 
years before — came slowly up the river; as it passed the city 
front to the landing place it was greeted with the mldest 
enthusiasm. "When the voyagers stepped ashore they were 
received by Tomo-chi-chi, a medicine man, Mary Musgrove, 
and other prominent Indians of the tribe. Then, forming 
in procession under the escort of the Savannah cadets, and 
headed by a band of music, they all marched to the stand 
which had been erected for them, and upon which the 
splendid pageant was arranged. Oglethorpe made a speech 
to "my brother, Tomo-chi-chi," and the Mico responded 
in fitting words of welcome. This spectacle merited and 
received great applause. 

In the midst of all the fine sights that the patriotism of 
Savannah had prepared in honor of this anniversary, the 
most prominent object of interest was Gov. Stephens. 
Every one tried to get a peep at this illustrious man, who 
had so long been honorably identified with the history of 
Georgia. As he stepped irom the train on his arrival in 
the city, his reception had been an enthusiastic ovation. 
His special escort, the gallant ''Georgia Hussars," in fine 
uniforms and mounted on superb horses, gave tone and 
dignity to the welcome. 

He was the orator of the occasion and delivered his speech 
at the theatre, where Gen. Henry E. Jackson presided over 
the ceremonies, seated upon the stage in the historic Ogle- 
thorpe chair. When Gov. Stephens appeared, the vast 
crowd that filled the theatre, as by one impulse, rose to their 
feet to do him honor. The opening prayer was made by 

452 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

the oldest minister in the city, Dr. Axson, of the Inde- 
pendent Presbyterian Church. 

The Governor's speech was of great historic interest. 
He described the planting of the colony, the birth and 
growth of the State, the principles upon which our institu- 
tions are based, and Georgia's claims to honor from all 
nations. The address was received with such prolonged 
applause that it was some time before order could be re- 
stored. Then Gen. Jackson read the "Commemoration 
Ode," written for the occasion by Paul Hamilton Hayne, 
whom he eulogized as the "poet of the South, laureate by 
royal power of his own genius." The exercises at the the- 
atre closed with a benediction by Rev. Thomas Boone, 
of Christ Episcopal Church. 

This brilliant celebration of Georgia's natal day and the 
founding of Savannah was a memorable occasion in the 
history of our State. 

Nothing showed more conclusively the kind of manhood 
there was in Georgia, than the condition of the Confederate 
soldiers within her limits. While the Federal soldiers were 
pensioners on the bounty of their Government, and one of 
their most prominent Generals did not hesitate to stretch 
out his hand for money from the Federal Government, with 
few exceptions, Georgia soldiers were not only self-support- 
ing, but occupying most of the positions of trust and emolu- 
ment; they were our governors, judges, legislators, State- 
House officers, county and city officers, and our congTess- 
men and United States Senators. The men who wore the 
gray" had not only illustrated Georgia in battle, but 
brought her through that most hery trial — the reconstruc- 
tion period — as pure as incorruptible gold, and Georgia 

^53 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

loved them well. The emptj sleeve, the halting gait and 
the unsightly scar appealed to her heart with an eloquence 
which no words could match ! 

Gov. Stephens had often expressed the wish that he 
]night "die in harness," and in less than a month after the 
Sesqui-centennial his lamp of life went out before day- 
light, one cold, crisp Sunday morning. Few Georgians 
have occupied so much space in the public eye of America 
and Europe. He climbed the hill of fame until he reached 
its highest summit, and there was nothing left for him to 
gain. It was a noble rounding of his public career to die 
Governor of his native State. In private life "he did 
good by stealth and blushed to own it fame." 

Georgia paid every possible honor to her dead Governor. 
His body was placed in a casket of gold-bronze with silver 
handles, and reposed in state in the Senate Chamber while 
people were gathering from the mountains to the sea, and 
from other States, to take part in the obsequies. Flowers 
were sent from every ]3art of Georgia to decorate his bier. 
On the day of the funeral the whole State suspended busi- 
ness, and jnemorial exercises were held in the different 
towns. 

In Atlanta, on the moming of that day, a meeting in 
honor of the dead was held in the Hall of the House of 
Representatives, which was elaborately draped in mourn- 
ing. Gen. Henry R. Jackson's speech was impassioned 
and poetic; that of Col. C. C. Jones, Jr., was a ringing 
eulogy; and that of Dr. H. V. M. IMiller was a fine analysis 
of character. Besides these gentlemen, ex-Gov. Colquitt, 
Gen. John B. Gordon, Judge Martin J. Crawford and Sen- 
ator Joseph E. Brown made tender and impressive ad- 

454 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

dresses. Geii. Toombs was also there — now gray -bearded 
and feeble. Ilis eyes were full of tears and his voice trem- 
ulous with the memories of forty years, as he pronounced 
a eulogy over his friend. 

In the afternoon, the usual funeral services, in which 
clergymen of all denominations took part, were held in the 
same Hall. The casket, with its magnificent floral designs, 
was placed in front of the Speaker's desk, and the Hall was 
crowded with men who occupied places of high trust in 
the land. As the remains of Gieorgia's Governor were 
borne to the cemetery, the hearse was drawn by eight pairs 
of black horses, and eight of the Georgia Hussars acted as 
special escort. The military from different parts of the 
State swelled the long procession. There were thirty com- 
panies; in fine uniforms, slowly marching to the sound of 
martial music. It was a touching sight to see ten negro 
companies among them. Ironi the capitol to the ceme- 
tery, both sides of the street, for over a mile, were densely 
crowded with sorrowing spectators. 

The Eight Kev. Bishop Beckwith received the body at 
the cemetery and committed it to the temporary tomb pre- 
pared of solid granite. The mass of flowers scattered in 
profusion around it, testified to the love and honor felt 
for Gov. Stephens by his countrymen. The sun was just 
sinking to rest when the famous Chatham Artillery fired 
the parting salvo, the crowd slowly dispersed, and Alex- 
ander H. Stephens "was left alone with his glory." 

According to Georgia law, if a Governor dies in office, the 
President of the Senate becomes Governor until an election 
can be held. The Hon. James S. Boynton, who had made 
a distinguished reputation as presiding ofiicer of the Sen- 

455 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

ate, now became our Governor, and administered the affairs 
of state with eminent success. 

When the election came off in May, the Hon. Henry D. 
McDaniel, of Walton county, often a member of the State 
Senate, and a distinguished Confederate soldier, was chosen 
to fill the Executive Chair, and was afterwards re-elected to 
a second term. Entering Confederate service as first lieu- 
tenant in the famous 11th Georgia Eegiment, he was 
chosen major during the second year of the war. In the 
second day's battle at Gettysburg, he came out of the action 
in command of his regiment, and in the third day's fight he 
led Anderson's Georgia Brigade, which had suffered heavy 
losses in field officers and other officers and men. In the 
severe action near Hagersto\NTi, Md., in which the 11th 
Georgia was particularly exposed, Maj. McDaniel, com- 
manding, was desperately wounded. His life was saved 
by a rare surgical operation; but, alas! he was left with 
other severely wounded Confederates, in the hands of the 
enemy, when Gen. Lee's army recrossed the Potomac. 
After the war was over, he was kept a prisoner by the Fed- 
erals for more than three months. Except when he was 
wounded and a prisoner, he was never absent from his com- 
mand, unless on detached ser^^ice of some kind, under 
orders. How well he performed his duty was shown by 
the confidence and esteem of those who served with him 
in the army, and of those who suffered with him in hospital 
and prison ! 

In the fall of the year 1884, the time for electing a Presi- 
dent of the United States had again arrived. The Demo- 
cratic party under the leadership of Grover Cleveland won 
a great victory over the Eepublicans, who for twenty-four 

456 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

years had controlled the Federal Government. Georgia 
had contributed her share to this satisfactory result; and 
there was great rejoicing all over the State, with patriotic 
speeches, torchlight processions, showers of fireworks and 
streets full of people. 

At this time, Georgia was steadily gaining in all the 
elements of material prosperit}^, and her credit was excel- 
lent. Under Democratic rule, her noble son. Gen. Henry 
R. Jackson, was appointed United States Minister to Mex- 
ico, in recognition of his eminent qualifications for the 
position. 

Kimbairs O|iora TTouse, which had been doing duty as a 
State-House since the capital was removed to Atlanta, was 
entireiy unsuited for the purpose, and the Legislature appro- 
priated one million dollars to erect a new building to be 
called the Capitol. It was to be located in a fine square of 
four acres, near the center of the city. 

It was a perfect autumn da}'- with all the beauty of sum- 
mer — as the frost had not yet touched the foliage — when 
the corner-stone of this magnificent edifice was laid, Septem- 
ber 2d, 1885. It was a huge piece of highly polished Georgia 
marble, of variegated tints, and weighing seven thousand 
five hundi'ed pounds. It is the largest and finest corner- 
stone ever laid in the South. 

Gov. McDaniel, the Legislature, and a large crowd of 
representative Georgians looked on with absorbing interest 
while the (Trand Lodge of Georgia performed the cere- 
mony. Never before had such a large number of Masons 
gathered in a Georgia city. The stone was laid at the 
northeast corner of the building, according to the custom 
of this ancient and honorable order. As the choir, com- 

457 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

posed of a hundred voices, sang "Great Architect of Heaven 
and Earth," the stone was slowly lowered to its place. 
When the craftsmen had done their work, the Grand Mas- 
ter, Hon. John S. Davidson, of the State Senate, pro- 
nounced it true and trusty, and then poured upon it com, 
wine and oil, emblematic of plenty, gladness and peace. 

Senator Robert G. Mitchell had been appointed to re- 
ceive the stone, as he was chairman of the committee on 
Public Propei*ty; he also introduced the orator of the day, 
Gen. A. K. Lawton, who had served Georgia so well with 
liis sword in the conflict of arms, and by his statesman- 
■ship in "the piping times of peace." He made a grand 
speech, worthy of himself and of the occasion. 

In December of this year, one of the most conspicuous 
figures in the State, Gen. Kobert Toombs, was removed by 
death'. He had always been in the forefront of public 
•affairs. He had been pressed for President of the Southern 
Confederacy; had been premier of its cabinet; had fought 
both in Virginia and Georgia, and was among those ever- 
to-be-honored Georgians who redeemed our State from Rad- 
ical rule. A large number of public men attended his 
funeral, and a beautiful eulogium was pronounced over 
him by the Rt. Rev. John Beckwith, Bishop of Georgia. 

In deference to Mr. Toombs' expressed wish, there was 
no ostentatious display over his remains. He sleeps his last 
sleep in the cemetery at Washington, near his lifelong 
home. Above his grave rises a handsome marble shaft, 
bearing the simple inscription, Robert Toomhs. 

His life is written on the pages of the history of his State; 
his grave is a sacred spot to every Georgian. 



458 



CHAPTER LV. 

EEBUILDING THE STATE. (Continued.) 
1880—1890. 

The next year after Gen. Toombs died, when fair Flora 
liad decked the fields and hillsides with tender green and 
filled the woods with flowers, the Hill monument — the first 
ever erected by Georgia to one of her statesmen — was com- 
pleted. It is a statue of heroic size, presenting a good like- 
ness of the distinguished Senator, made of Italian marble 
and mounted on a massive pedestal. 

The first day of May was set for the unvailing cere- 
monies, and it was considered a proper occasion to invite 
the honored President of the Southern Confederacy to be 
present, as Mr. Hill had been the ardent supporter of his 
administration. As Pres. Davis had depended on Gen. 
Lee in the field, so he had leaned upon Mr. Hill in the 
Senate. When it was known that he had accepted the invi- 
tation, the whole State rejoiced and assisted Atlanta in her 
•elaborate preparations to receive him. The city was liter- 
ally deluged with flowers — from the wild honeysuckles of 
the w^oods to the most costly exotics — which the Southern 
Express Company carried without charge. 

A special train, with the engine and each car handsomely 
decorated, having on board Gen. Gordon and other distin- 
guished Georgians, was sent to Montgomery, Alabama, to 

459 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

meet Pres. Davis. The citizens of every Georgia town 
through which the train passed bearing onr honored guest^ 
assembled at the depot to see him, and show with what lov- 
ing reverence he was enshrined in their hearts. He reached 
Atlanta in the afternoon of the last day of April. As the 
engine rushed into the city and. stopped at the depot, Geor 
gia's Governor and abont fifty thousand people were there 
to welcome Mr. Uavis. He was placed in an elegant car- 
riage, drawn by six white horses, and a thousand veterans 
acted as his special escort. A gay cavalcade, composed of 
a long line of carriages smd dashing cavaliers on horse- 
back, with the band playing "Dixie," followed him from the 
depot to Mrs. Benjamin Hill's residence, which was to be 
his home during his sojourn in Atlanta. His ride was 
made glorious with the love of a great commonwealth ! 
As his carriage slowly passed from the depot up Pryor 
street to Peachtree street, and up Peachtree to Mrs. Hill's 
residence, about six thousand school-children scattered 
flowers in front of it — the horses' feet never touching the 
ground, as every inch of it was covered : the carriage wheels 
seemed to roll through banks of flowers, while the very 
heavens echoed ^^^th shouts and cheers of welcome. 

The next morning the city was brightened by the splen- 
dor of an unclouded Southern sun, and fanned by the sweet 
breath of ]\Iay. Atlanta was swarming with people, and 
Confederate veterans were there by the thousands to honor 
Hill, and to greet their Chieftain at the base of the Hill 
monument. 

A grand procession was formed in front of Mrs. Hill's 
residence, in which Pres. Davis, "the observed of all ob- 
servers," was the most conspicuous figure. His carriage 

460 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

-was preceded by the Governor's Horse Guards and two other 
military companies. Ten veterans of the Mexican war led 
-the column of Confederate soldiers; next came the veter- 
ans who had lost an arni or a leg in the recent war. It has 
been estimated that not less than five thousand veterans 
were in that remarkable procession. Silver threads were 
thickly strewn among their dark locks, and Care with her 
terrible finger had traced many a deep wrinkle upon their 
faces, but the stamp of a noble maniiood was still upon their 
brows. Behind the Confederates, the young men, each 
with his badge of gray, marched in a double column, de- 
lighted to be called ''the young vets." 

The procession, amid soft strains of music, marched to the 
monument, where the final honors were to be paid to Sen- 
ator Hill by his State. So dense was the throng of spec- 
tators that every balcony and stairway was crowded and 
the sidewalks were impassable. All the Southern States 
were represented in that vast crowd, as well as some of the 
far distant States beyond Mason and Dixon's line. It was 
only after repeated efforts that a squad of policemen suc- 
ceeded in keeping a space clear for the procession. 

The streets along the line of march were handsomely 
decorated, with here and there a Confederate flag side by 
side with the flag of the United States. The speakers' plat- 
form was shaded by a gray canopy, and at its entrance a 
United States flag fluttered to the breeze, while the Con- 
federate flag was furled and tied with gray ribbon, mutely 
telling the fall of a grand young nation. Near by was the 
statue of the illustrious Hill, covered vnth a white veil. 
As far as the eye could reach there was a vast sea of human- 
ity. Such a crowd never before thronged the streets of 

any Georgia city. 

461 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Little girls, carrying baskets, scattered flowers within ih& 
enclosure around the platform until the ground was almost 
concealed: Avhen the procession arrived, upon this natural 
carpet Pres. Davis' carriage was driven, with four lines of 
veterans on either side. A great shout rent the air 
as he was assisted to his seat upon the platform. Since he 
touched Georgia soil the crowd had never caught a glimpse^ 
of him without the wildest enthusiasm. 

^ Seated upon the platform were Gov. McDaniel and other- 
distinguished Georgians, with the orator of the day, Hon. 
J. C. C. Black of Augusta. Gen. Longstreet was placed 
near Pres. Davis, as were Mrs. Hill, Miss Varina Davis, and 
other ladies. 

Atlanta's brilliant young journalist, Henry W. Grady,, 
the son of a Confederate soldier, was master of ceremonies!' 
The exercises were opened with an exquisitely touching- 
prayer by Gen. Clement A. Evans, a soldier of the Cross 
and of the Confederacy, who had been Senator Hill's pas- 
tor. Most earnestly he besought the blessing of the "Sov- 
ereign Father of all men" upon Georgia, the veterans, and 
the dead Senator's wife and children. 

Then the statue was presented to the State by Dr. E. D. 
Spalding, President of the Hill Monument Association, m 
a short but graceful address, in which he said of Hill : "He 
no less signally illustrated the honor of Georgia than her 
most distinguished sons, from Oglethorpe, the founder of 
the commonwealth, to Toombs, the dead Mirabeau of the 
South.'' 

As his voice died upon the air, Capt. Burke removed 
the veil, and the statue was saluted with spontaneous 
cheers. Gov. McDaniel accepted it in one of the happiest 

462 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

speeches of his life, in whicli he called Georgia's great men 
"the jewels of the commonwealth." 

Col. Black's oration held the attention of the audience 
for over an hour, as he paid tribute to the great Senator, and 
to Georgia, and portrayed the illustrious part that Southern 
statesmanship had played in founding the Federal Govern- 
ment and in adding to the glories of the United States. In 
referring to the undying influence of greatness and good- 
ness, he said: "And to-day, there comes to us and shall 
come to those after us, the voice of our dead, solemn with 
the emphasis of another world, more eloquent than that 
with which he was wont to charm us. It says to us : 'Chil- 
dren of Georgia, love thy mother. Cherish all that is good 
and just in her past. Study her highest interests. Dis- 
cover, project and foster all that will promote her future. 
Respect and obey her laws. Guard well her sacred honor. 
Give your richest treasures and best efforts to her material, 
social, intellectual and moral advancement, until she shines 
the brightest jewel in the diadem of the Eepublic." 

In his peroration, turning to Pres. Davis, who, for twenty 
years had lived in poverty and obscurity, and who alone had 
borne the reproach of our enemies and the obloquy of 
defeat, Col. Black eulogized his "matchless eloquence," his 
"dauntless courage," and his "lofty patriotism." It set the 
people Avild with gladness, and it was some minutes before 
the tumult subsided. Then Mr. Grady, in an impassioned 
speech, introduced Pres. Davis. Seventy-eight winters had 
bleached his hair and he was too feeble to make a set speech, 
but he advanced to the edge of the platfonn for a brief 
address; again the air was rent with a great shout, and it 
was some time before the thunderous applause could be 

46a 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

stilled, so quickly could tlie Confederate leader touch the 
mighty heart of Georgia ! In a few minutes' talk he placed 
his tender offering upon Hill's grave, in words that will be 
treasured as long as noble sentiments are honored ! He 
beautifully said : "If I were asked from Greorgia's history 
to name the three men who were fair types of Georgians I 
would take Ogletlwriie, the benevolent, Troup, the daunt- 
less, and liill, the faithful." He ended his address "with 
this good wish for our beloved State : "Let us love Geor- 
gia and her rights ; and may her rights of freedom and inde- 
pendence, such as your fathers gave you, be yours and your 
children's forever !" 

When the unveiling exercises were ended, Miss Varina 
Davis, born in the Confederate White House, at Richmond, 
Va. — hence called "the daughter of the Confederacy" — 
was led forward by Dr. Spalding and Mr. Grady, and intro- 
duced to the crowd. She received a grand ovation; every 
hat seemed to fly into the air, and the very earth seemed 
to shake with mighty cheers. Then President Davis 
held an informal reception on the platform. He had not 
strengtli to stand or sliake hands, so be remained seated 
while the Veterans filed past, each one gently touching his 
hands and then moving on. With warm, loving enthusi- 
asm, the wives and children of Confederates crowded for- 
ward, asking that they, too, might touch his hands. Tears 
stood in thousands of eyes, as high and low, rich and poor, 
vied with each other to do him honor, for he still suffered, a 
vicarious sacrifice for his people. Our enemies called him 
"traitor," and the Federal Government still denied him all 
the rights of citizenship. 



464 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

Jefferson Davis was crowned that day in Georgia with a 
diadem more beautiful than ever graced the head of con- 
quering hero — the undying love and honor of a great peo- 
ple ! 

When the reception was over, his hat was taken by the 
Veterans as a memento. They afterwards cut it into sev- 
eral hundred pieces and distributed it into sixty counties. 

This ovation to an unsuccessful leader cannot be matched 
in history, ancient or modern. Georgia honored herself in 
honoring Pres. ]Davis, who represented the principles for 
which she fought in the war between the States. 

Georgia has her own peculiar traditions, memories and 
sentiments; she has been true to them in the darkest 
hours of her existence, as well as in the brightest days of 
her prosperity. 



30g -165 



CHAPTER LVI. 

KEBUILDING THE STATE. (Contwued.) 
1880—1890. 

From time immemorial, in all Anglo-Saxon lands the 
:nonth of May has been dedicated to social gatherings and 
■outdoor festivities. Georgia has always observed this an- 
cient custom of the mother country; but never before had 
she seen such a Ivlay as this one of 1S86. 

The public pulse had not ceased its quick beating over 
the stirring scenes at the unveiling of the Hill Monument, 
when the eyes and heart of the State were turned towards 
Savannah. This city had decked herself in gala array to 
celebrate for one week the hundredth birthday of the Chat- 
ham Artillery, the oldest military organization in Georgia 
and one of the oldest in America. It had welcomed George 
Washington to Savannah, had paraded at the funeral of 
Gen. Nathaniel Greene, had been out in the war of 1812, 
had assisted in the public ovation to Gen. LaFayette when 
he visited Georgia, had served well in the war between the 
States, and not many weeks agone, had stood by the grave 
of Gov. Stephens. 

This centennial celebration was made the occasion of 
the largest military display ever seen in the South, com- 
panies being present from all parts of G*^orgia, and from 
other States. The commanding officer of the encampment 

466 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

was the intrepid Col. Olmstead; the place was called "Camp 
Washington/' after the first President (the friend and en- 
courager of the Chathams), who had walked over this very 
spot when he was examining with such vivid interest the 
earthworks and other evidences of the efforts of the patriots 
to retake Savannah. 

There were military drills for which large prizes were 
offered, and there were contests and tournaments. During 
this festive week the entire city was beautifully decorated. 
An old, battle-worn flag was displayed which had often 
figured in honor of Georgia. In the war of 1812 it had 
floated over a privateer, and at the Sesqui-centennial it had 
proudly waved over the head of Co v. Stephens as he deliv- 
ered the last speech of his life. 

The jDresence of Pres. Davis and "the daughter of the 
Confederacy" contributed largely to the enthusiasm of the 
■occasion, Savannali received them with the same love 
which they had found everywhere in Georgia. This was 
not the first time INliss Davis had felt the protecting arms 
of our State around her; when she was a wee baby, fair 
Macon had sheltered her and her sick mother. 

The members of the Chatham Artillery wore gray uni- 
forms with just enough red and gold trimmings to make 
them attractive. Their caps were solid red, with gold lace 
bands. 

One of the great features of the celebration was an im- 
meoise military procession, in which the historic "Washing- 
ton guns," the most sacred heirloom of the Chathams, had 
the place of honor. The procession was inspected by Gov- 
ernor McDaniel, and then continued its march until it 
paused to salute Pres. Davis, who was seated in a carriage 

467 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

witli the two famous Georgia (jenerals, Lawton and Mc- 
Laws. The spectators saw sucli a sight as thej can 
never see again, as that splendid body of military paid 
special honors to the venerable chieftain of the South. 
There was scarcely a dry eye in the vast crowd. As his 
carriage, following the procession, drove into the park, the 
Chatham Artillery were firing their salute of one hundred 
guns, but the cheer that w^ent up when the spectators caught 
sight of the President, drowned the roar of the cannon. 

From the day when Savannah w^as a small village with a 
few straggling houses among the pines, she has been cele- 
brated for her hospitality, public spirit and enterprise. 
Many have been the notable banquets enjoyed within her 
gates, but none of them surpassed the one spread by the 
Chatham Artillery for this occasion. Their spacious gun 
yard was floored, roofed over, and profusely decorated, the 
ceiling being festooned with banners. Long tables stretched 
from end to end of the yard, at which sat more than three 
hundred guests, among whom was Pres. ])avis. When the 
dainty viands had been enjoyed, the first regular toast was, 
Washington, then Georgia. Gov. McDaniel, in responding 
to the latter, said : "Visitors are always satisfied with 
Georgia, if they see it through the medium of the Forest 
City's hospitality." 

Breaking in upon ihe regular order of the toasts, Capt. 
Saunders, of the "Old Guard" of New York, who sat very 
near to Pres. Davis, turned to him and exclaimed : "In 
the name of the State of Kew York, I propose the health 
of Mr. Davis and three cheers for him." The health was 
drunk standing, and the cheers were given with a right 
good will that came straight from the heart. Gen. John 

468 



REBUILDING' THE STATE. 

13. Gordon was among the post-prandial orators, all of whom 
were most happily chosen, and the intellectual part of the 
feast was greatly relished. This banquet was one of the 
jiotable features of the centennial. 

Pres. Davis' love for children was well known, and dur- 
ing his short sojourn in Savannah he addressed the children 
of all the schools, gathered in Chatham Academy. Gov. 
McDaniel was present on this interesting occasion, so the 
children enjoyed the two-fold pleasure of seeing Jefferson 
Davis (one of the most prominent figures in modern Amer- 
ican history), and the Chief Magistrate of our owti great 
State. 

During this gala week the new bronze tablets on Gen. 
Nathaniel Greene's monument were unveiled with fitting 
ceremonies, a fine oration being delivered by Col. C. C. 
Jones, Jr., of Augusta, He was eloquent, scholarly, patri- 
otic, and emphatically the Georgia Historian. As he fin- 
ished his speech, the Chatham Artillery awoke the echoes 
on every side with a salute of thirteen guns, one for each of 
the original sovereign States. Such care of a monument, 
and such imposing ceremonies around it, contradict the 
old adage that "republics are ungrateful." 

The interest in this memorable week was enhanced by 
the foi-mal opening of the "I'elfair Academy of Arts and 
Sciences." It is a fine structure, filled with costly works 
of art, a gift to the city from Miss Mary Telfair. She was 
a descendant of Edward Telfair, who was prominent in the 
Revolutionary war, and afterwards Governor of Georgia. 

When the festivities of the centennial were over, beauti- 
ful Savannah had increased her claims to be numbered 
among the prominent cities on the Atlantic coast. 

469 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

]n Xovember of this year, when the Legislature assem- 
bled, Gen. John B. Gordon was inaugurated Governor, hav- 
ing been elected to succeed Gov, McDaniel. Gen. Gordon 
was loved not only in Georgia, but throughout the South 
for his war record, of which the glorious scar upon his face, 
caused by a saber cut, was a constant reminder. It will 
be remembered that he Avas elected to this office during the 
reconstruction period, but under bayonet rule was "counted 
out," so it was with peculiar gratification that the people 
of Georgia saw him occupying the Executive Chair. Dur- 
ing the two years of office, his administration of state affairs 
was so popular, that at the end of his term he was re-elected. 
The Januaiy following Gordon's first inauguration, Chief- 
Justice Jackson died. The bench and bar of the State paid 
him marked respect as their official head. Memorial exer- 
cises were held in the Supreme Court room, and every 
honor possible was shown at his funeral, Georgia's Governor 
being one of the pall-bearers. Among the universal eulo- 
gies, nothing was said moi-e beautiful and true than 
"the man obscured the statesman and judge" — so pure was 
his character and so broad the sweep of his affections. 

His successor was Logan E. Bleckley, who some years 
before had been Associate-Justice, When he lost his 
health from overwork, he resigned from the Supreme 
Bench with a poem which stands to-day upon the grim 
records of the court. The moral of the poem is that labor 
is the twin brother of happiness. Xo other lawyer living 
could have done this thing without an appearance of incon- 
gruity. With him it was simply natural, and his state of 
health contributed pathos to its reading. 



470 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

Towering head and shoulders above the majority of men, 
the peculiar genins of Jndge Bleckley is as nnusnal as his 
stature — his legal mind having metaphysics and poetry en- 
grafted upon it. He says: "My devotion to law is the 
spiritual consecration of a loving disciple, a devout min- 
ister." JSTo more fitting appointment could have been made 
for the head of the judiciary, as his unbending integrity is 
only equaled by his learning in the law. 

This decade is noted for the number of its celebrations 
attended by public festivities. In 1887, beginning on 
Washington's birthday. Savannah joyfully threw open her 
gates for three days in honor of the unveiling of a monu- 
ment to Sergeant William .Fasper, who lost his life at the 
siege of Savannah in 1770. His grave is unknown, but 
his memory is kept green by a grateful people. The Gov- 
ernor and his staff were the guests of the city during the 
celebration. Grover Cleveland, President of the United 
States, with a distinguished party, was also in the city at 
this time. 

In July of this same year, the University celebrated with 
a grand banquet, the completion of the first hundred years 
of its existence. The high value to Georgia of this institu- 
tion is attested by the long list of illustrious names it has 
given to the State. 

The work on the new Capitol had been steadily progress- 
ing for five years; towards the end of March, 1889, it was 
completed, and the commissioners who had its construction 
in charge turned it over to the Governor. "N"o State or 
country can match the story of its building. It is the his- 
tory of one of the })P.st pieces of public work ever performed 
in the United States; a record of honest, conscientious dis- 

471 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

charge of duty; and the building will stand as a monument 
to the men who caused it to be erected." It is the first 
capitol ever built in America without a scandal, and 
the commissioners confined themselves strictly within the 
appropriation given them by the Legislature. In this in- 
stance, a small sum, unused, was returned to the treasury. 

The Georgia Capitol is built in the (Classic Kenaissance 
style, of oolitic limestone, a material most elegant in color 
and texture. It is a grand and imposing edifice compris- 
ing three stories and a basement. Lines of grace and 
beauty are not lacking to soften its massive appearance. 
Pilasters with carved capitals sustain the entablature and 
give the building elegance and variety. The pediment 
over the main entrance is supported by six monolithic col- 
umns, containing a carved representation of the coat of 
arms of Georgia. An open rotunda extends from the first 
floor through the upper stories, to a height of 172 feel. 
The floors are supported by masonry arches and wrought 
steel beams. The halls, entrances and corridors are paved 
with marble or encaustic tiles. Very little wood is used 
in the entire structure, rendering it as nearly fire-proof as 
possible, that the priceless archives of Georgia which are 
kept there, may be protected against the flames. 

Rising above the main roof is the stately dome, visible 
for miles. It is surrounded by a colonnade appropriately 
embellished, which furnishes a marked and striking feature 
of the building. Surmounting the whole is a statue of 
Freedom, holding a torch. The names of the Commis- 
sioners are inscribed on a bronze tablet. All of them were 
Confederate soldiers but two, who were only sixteen years 
of age when the war ended. Two of them were distin- 

472 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

guished generals, and a third commanded a battery in sight 
of the spot where the building stands. 

The Capitol is the official home of the Governor and all 
the State-House officers; here, also, is the Hall of the House 
of Representatives, the Senate Chamber, the Supreme 
Court Room, and the State Library. Overlooking the 
Representatives' Hall and the Senate Chamber are great 
galleries, where the public can congregate and listen to 
the proceedings of the Legislature. 

The Capitol is Georgia's Pantheon. The splendid statue 
of Senator Hill stands in the rotunda, while here and there 
over the building portraits of Georgia's famous sons look 
down upon us, to instruct, to inspire and to guide. 

The formal ceremonies over the new Capitol took place 
in the Hall of Representatives on the 4th day of July, while 
the Legislature was in extra session. Capt. Evan P. 
Howell, in the name of the building commissioners, pre- 
sented it. Gov. Gordon, accepting it for the State, said in 
his speech : "There is not a stone, a pound of iron, or dust 
of lime used in this building, from its foundation stone to 
dome, but is as pure and free from corruption as when it 
reposed in the bosom of mother earth." 

The Legislature, by a resolution, thanked the Capitol 
Commissioners for "the faithful and economical manner in 
which they had discharged their trust and completed a 
structure which is substantial, grand and imposing in its 
character, elegant and commodious in its arrangements, and 
adapted to the requirements of the great and growing State 
of Georgia." 

These sentiments of the Legislators were endorsed by our 
entire State. 

473 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

From an early period, in the liistory of the United States 
all the States had observed George Washington's birthday 
with public rejoicings; and, now, in the last year of this 
decade, the Georgia Legislature accorded the same honor to 
Gen. Robert E. Lee, making his birthday, January 19th, a 
State holiday. 

Early in December of this year, a wav^e of sorrow swept 
over Georgia when the news was received that Pres. Jeffer- 
son Davis had died in the city of JS-ew Orleans. Euneral 
ceremonies were held in nearly every town in the State, in 
memory of the man whom Georgia delighted to honor; and 
not Georgia only — for, from the Potomac to the Rio 
Grande, the South was in tears. "On the plains of Texas, 
in the deep forests of Arkansas, on the grassy slopes of 
Kentucky, on the banks of the Virginia rivers, upon 'the 
red, old hills of Georgia,' the people gathered to pay him 
a tribute of respect; but the heart of each one was with 
that silent sleeper who was lying by the side of the 'father 
of waters.' Jefferson Davis had stood by the cradle of 
the Confederacy and looked forAvard into the future with- 
out fear; four years later, he had leaned over its coffin, and 
looked back at the past without shame." 



474 



CHAPTER LVII. 

REBUILDIKG THE STATE. (Continued ) 
1890—1803. 

The new year foinid Georgia still advancing in all indus- 
trial pursuits and in the arts and sciences. She is the 
second cotton and rice producing State in the South: she 
leads her section in the cultivation and exportation of vege- 
tables, melons and peaches, and the forests in the lower 
part of the State furnish large quantities of turpentine and 
lumber ^vhicll are in constant demand. Upon her old hill- 
sides and in her valleys, plants and roots are found which 
possess the most wonderful healing properties; iron, coal, 
marble and manganese are largely mined, and she has not 
only utilized the wonders of steam, but of electricity. Be- 
fore the war between the States, Georgians were entirely 
an agricultural people; uoav they have also become an in- 
ventive and manufacturing people. 

From a remote period our climate has been celebrated for 
its healthfulness, the aborigines being exceedingly long- 
lived. Tomo-chi-ohi at ninety was strong in body and 
vigorous in mind ; Brim, the Emperor of the Creeks, lived 
one hundred and thirty years; but now, by violating the 
laws of nature, our people often miss the best advantages of 
their line climate, and cut short their days. 

475 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Georgia points with pride to the progressiveness and hos- 
pitality of her beantifnl cities and towns; bnt her true 
greatness lies in the united fame of her illustrious sons — in 
their moral ^vealth of high resolves and fearless purposes; 
in their noble exertions and generous sacrifices in the cause 
of truth, justice and liberty; and to-daj "the historic past 
salutes a glorious future !" 

Gov. Gordon's second term expired in the fall of this 
year and he was sent to the United States Senate. "Re- 
membrance is all tlie gratitude that posterity can show for 
good and bra"\'e actions.'* 

The new Governor was Hon. "William J. Xorthen, of 
Hancock county, who was a Confederate soldier. His 
father was in the war of 1S12: in the war between the 
States, though too old for active sendee according to law, 
he volunteered and organized a company of which the 
Governor was a member. Others of his family joined 
diilerent organizations, to fight for Georgia's rights. 

Gov. j\'orthen was elected as the representative of the 
])lanting interests, and brought integrity, ability and dig- 
nity to the chair of Jackson, Milledge and Tattnall. The 
beauty and chivalry of Georgia crowded the galleries of 
our splendid new Capitol to hear his inaugural address. 
The oath of office was administered by Chief-Justice Bleck- 
ley, whose towering form, patriarchal beard and solemn 
tones made the scene peculiarly impressive. 

While the new Governor was the faithful Executive of 
the whole State, he proved himself the special champion of 
the interests that Georgia holds most dear — the Confederate 
soldiers, the farmers, and the school children. 



476 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

Georgia was represented in Congress at this time by a 
very strong delegation. The Democrats controlled the 
House of Representatives, and our State had the honor of 
supplying the Speaker, Hon. Charles F. Crisp, of Americus. 
He was a Confederate soldier, and while our beloved State 
was yet in the power of Cai-petbaggers and Scalawags, he 
was a member of the Democratic Convention to nominate 
a Governor, afterwards becoming a circuit judge. He 
had won a name in the national councils which reflected 
credit upon (Georgia. As presiding officer of the House he 
was calm and gentle, but very firm, and on many trying 
occasions showed his fitness for the position. 

His townsmen testified their appreciation of the honor 
bestowed on him, by presenting him mth a gavel. It is 
ten inches long, made of highly polished oak, with gold 
bands around the head and a silver hand typhon on the 
handle. The bands are engraved with these words : "Pre- 
sented to Hon, Charles F. Crisp, Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, by his constituents of Americus, Georgia." 
This beautiful gavel was sent in a handsome velvet-lined 
oak case. 

The day has passed away, if it ever existed in Georgia, 
when the boys only were the hope of the commonwealth. 
To give girls an opportunity to become self-sustaining had 
been much discussed over the State, and at length the idea 
assumed definite proportions. The scheme originated in 
18S5 through the suggestion of Col. J, Colton Lynes in a 
commencement oration delivered before the Literary So- 
cieties of Shorter Female College, at Rome. His chival- 
rous championship of a more practical education for women 

477 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

was taken up later by Mr. Henry AV. Grady, who, by time 
and again writing editorials upon the subject, kept the 
idea before the people. The Georgia Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union esi)0iised the cause with enthusiasm, the 
State Press became interested, and, finally, the Legislature 
passed an act establishing the "^Girls' TvTormal and Indus- 
trial College.'' 

The old and historic Executive Mansion at Milledge- 
ville was utilized fqr the purposes of this school. Here 
girls can acquire a good education, besides learning some 
industrial art — from cooking and dressmaking, to book- 
keeping, telegraphy, stenography and typewriting — as a 
means of livelihood. 

The year 1892 Avill always be' noted in the annals of 
Georgia for the obstinate fight made by the Democrats to 
carry their ijarty to victory. In the last presidential elec- 
tion, the Democratic nominee, G rover Cleveland — who 
stood for re-election — was defeated, and now he was again 
put forward as the standard-bearer of the party. 

In Georgia there was division in the ranks of the De- 
mocracy which complicated the fight. Many planters, think- 
ing a new organization would have their interests more at 
heart, joined what was popularly known as ''the third 
party," not pausing to consider that every vote cast against 
the Democrats was a help to the Eepublicans, the political 
enemies of Georgia. 

The farmers are the backbone of our State, and when 
the war ended disastrously, this class above all others found 
it hard to adjust themselves to the new order of things, and 
they had been the greatest sufferers. To repair their broken 
fortunes, they bought their provisions and planted cotton 

478 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

alraost exclusively. During llie reconstruction period, 
Gieii. Toombs had warned tliem against the folly of having 
their corncribs and smokehouses in the West; but such was 
their infatuation for cotton that he pleaded with them in 
vain. If his counsel had been followed, not one of Geor- 
gia's beautiful acres would now be in the anaconda grasp of 
a mortgage. 

Georgia is, first of all, an agricultural State, and formerly 
a large proportion of her gentry lived in the country. Most 
of her great men have been raised on plantations, whose pure 
air and broad fields were their kindly foster-mother. But, 
year after year, her farmers have grown poorer, which 
accoujits for the dissatisfaction of many of them in the 
great political battle fought this year. The majority of 
Georgians Avere true to the old principles, and from the 
mountains to the sea rallied to the party of their fathers. 

AVhen the spotless sword of 1-ee was sheathed at mourn- 
ful Appomattox, ''the cause" was not so "lost" as it seemed 
to be. The Democratic party of the United States in their 
Convention at Chicago to nominate a President, pledged 
themselves to a tariff measure which is identical with the 
article of the Constitution of the Confederate States regu- 
lating a fiscal policy. The wisdom of Alexander II. Ste- 
phens saw this day. He often said that unless the Demo- 
cratic party in the South made some fatal blunder, the 
jSTorth would one day discover that the Confederate Con- 
stitution was better than the original one, and might be 
cardinally adopted by the whole Union. 

October 11th of this year was the four hundredth 
anniversary of the discovery of America. The occasion 
was observed as a general State holiday, and celebrated with 

479 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

great enthusiasm in Atlanta. Capt. John Milledge, of the 
Governor's Horse (jruards, was chief marshal of the day. 
He directed the movements of a great military and civic 
parade that traversed the principal business streets, and then 
ended their march at the Capitol. One division of it was 
composed entirely of school boys. Among the novel feat- 
ures in the procession were two hundred gaily decorated 
bicycles, and a tally-ho containing thirteen young girls, 
representing the original States. 

When the ]3rocession reached the Capitol, the different 
divisions were grouped around it, while six hundred girls 
as a chorus stood upon the steps. In front of the chorus, 
extending to the sidewalk, were children under twelve 
years of age, the girls in the center and the boys on either 
side. There were prayers, music and patriotic son^s, then 
the celebration ended with a Columbus salute of thirteen 
guns by the Atlanta Artillery. 

In the meantime, the political warfare was vigorously 
kept up. Georgia did good work in the national campaign, 
and furnished orators for other States, from Maine to Cali- 
fornia. At the same time a heated gubernatorial canvass 
was in progress. The Democrats, wnth Gov. Xorthen as 
their choice, were fighting "the third party" which had 
seduced so many of our farmers from their allegiance, with 
its impractical schemes of relief. The Democratic party 
well deserved the confidence of Georgia. It had driven the 
Carpetbaggers from power and banished from our limits 
Federal bayonets at tlie polls; had brought the State from 
poverty to whatever prosperity she enjoyed ; had placed her 
financial system on an honest foundation, so that her 
credit was high and her bonds were eagerly sought; had 

480 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

framed our present Constitution, which stands as an ever- 
lasting bulwark between the people and oppression by 
monopolies. Twice only in sixty years had Georgia's elec- 
toral vote been cast for any but the Democratic candidate 
for President; the exceptions being when the Whigs carried 
the State. Among the sisterhood of States, Georgia has 
always ranked high as the earnest advocate of the political 
principles of Thomas Jefferson, which, more than those of 
any other party, guard the interests of the whole people. 
The Georgia Democrats can show a grand record; and this 
year victory again perched upon their barmers. Our State 
Press deserves special mention for its ceaseless work in 
behalf of the Democracy. It was the watchman upon the 
tower, and it shared the honors of the triumph. 

When the State elections came off in the fall, Gov. 
Northen was re-elected, and Georgia still presented a solid 
front to the Republican party. This happy termination of 
the fight within our State limits did not quite satisfy our 
people, and they waited with intense anxiety to hear the 
result of the Presidential election. 



31g 48 1 



CHAPTER LVIII. 

REBUILDING THE STATE. (Concluded.) 
1890—1893. 

During the earlv I^ovember days of 1892, when Georgia 
was eagerly expecting news of how her sister States had 
cast their Presidential votes, no one wholly escaped the feel- 
ing of excitement that pervaded her borders, and Time 
seemed to lean heavily upon his scythe as the hours dragged 
slowly along. At last, the Avatching and waiting were 
ended and the glad tidings came flashing over the telegraph 
wires that Grover Cleveland was elected, and our State was 
wdld with joy. 

The most dramatic incident that occurred in Georgia in 
connection with this great victory, took place in Atlanta. 
Since the reconstruction period there had been kept in that 
city a small cannon, called the '^Constitution cannon," after 
Atlanta's popular daily. Its mission was to celebrate Dem- 
ocratic victories, and for that purpose it had made journeys 
all over the state, but w^as always carried back to the perma- 
nent home, Atlanta. It had been taken on the special 
Davis train to Montgomery to fire salutes at each station as 
the great flower-decorated engine rushed onw^ard to Atlanta, 
bearing the Confederate Chieftain. 

So many glorious memories clustered around this gun 
that it came to be regarded wdth reverence all over Georgia ; 

482 



REBUILDING THE STATE 

it was the special pet of Mr. Henry W, Grady, the 
patriotic and brilliant editor of the Atlanta "Constitution." 
In the Presidential contest of 1888, when Cleveland stood 
for re-election, Mr. Grady with his own hands loaded it with 
a heavy charge, intending- to reserve for himself the pleas- 
ure of touching it off to announce the expected victory; but 
the Democrats were defeated and the gun could not be 
lired. He was much distressed over the defeat, but, never 
for a moment doubting that in liberty-loving America the 
Democratic party would ultimately triumph, he carefully 
primed the cannon, and over the touch-hole pasted a piece 
of paper upon which was written the words: "A charge 
to keep I have" ; and the gun was carefully put away with 
a letter v.ritten by Mr. Grady detailing these circumstances 
and expressing the hope that he would touch off the load 
four years later to celebrate a Democratic triumph. He 
requested that if the icy hand of death was laid upon him 
before that happy day arrived, the cannon should be placed 
in front of the "Constitution" building and tell the news 
for him to the people of Atlanta whom he had loved so 
well. In less than a year, the gun and its charge had be- 
come sacred hy the death of the gifted editor. 

Every one in the city knew the story of Grady and the 
cannon, and now in this memorable November, when news 
of Democratic victories came pouring in from dift'erent 
States, a dense crowd besieged the "Constitution" office. 
The little cannon was brought out and planted in front of 
the building, but not for worlds would that sacred charge 
have been fired until the good news was certain. It was 
understood that when tlie report was heard there would no 
longer be any doubt about the victory. 

483 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

Too restless and excited to sleep, all night Tuesday, At- 
lanta poured herself into the streets, and every ear was 
strained to catch the expected sound; and when Phoebus 
came dancing forth, flooding the earth with his bright 
beams, the streets were still thronged and a great crowd 
was massed in front of the "Constitution" office. At last, 
early AVednesday afternoon, the editor received this tele- 
gram from the Chairman of the !N^ational Democratic Com- 
mittee : "Cleveland is elected ! Let Grady's gun speak !' ' 

instantly every man in the office rushed into the street, 
the editor tore away the paper that Grady's hand had placed 
upon the cannon, the fuse was lighted and the historic can- 
non, after foi'ir years of silence, proclaimed the glorious 
news, and a shout from fifty thousand glad hearts empha- 
sized the report. The tale told by the Grady gun was 
caught up and re-echoed by the artillery that had been 
placed on the neighboring heights, while every locomotive 
and steam whistle took up the refrain, and the joy and the 
enthusiasm of the city were unbounded ! 

The Georgia Press displayed its triumphant happiness by 
such headlines as "Victory!"' "Kedeemed!" "Saved at 
Last r "Hurrah ! Hurrah !" 

No State did any more than Georgia to place the party 
of Thomas Jefferson again in control of the Federal Govern- 
ment. Relieved somewhat from the oppressions and ex- 
travagances of Republican rule, and with renewed zeal for 
a good national government, our State took a long stride 
forward, and now occupies her proper position in the Fed- 
eral counsels. A galaxy of gifted Georgians illustrated 
their State in both branches of Congress ; Mr. Hoke Smith, 
of Atlanta, a leader in the legal profession, a man of fine 

484 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

business qualifications and an ardent advocate of tariff re- 
form, became a member of the President's cabinet; and 
Georgia, also, had her share of I'ederal appointments both 
at home and abroad. Thus, through the talent and energy 
of her sons, did our beloved State win her way upward and 
onward ! 

Some years before this time, not long after the death of 
"the great Commoner," the "Stephens Monumental Asso- 
ciation" was organized, with Hon. George T. Barnes as 
president. They had three objects in view: To purchase 
Liberty Hall, which for forty years had been Mr. Stephens' 
home; to build a Stephens High School, a memorial that 
would please him best, and to erect a monument to his 
memory. By May, 1893, all these objects had been accom- 
plished. 

In Georgia, the women have ever stood shoulder to 
shoulder with the men in their love for the State; and in 
this duty, they were, as usual, in the front ranks. Too 
much honor can not be accorded to Miss Mary A. H. Gay, 
who, leaving a pleasant home, gave her whole time with- 
out remuneration, to collecting funds for the Association. 
She is one of the thousands of Confederate heroines of 
whom the outside world will never hear, but who has helped 
to make their country glorious. In the war between the 
States she worked and suffered as much as if she had shoul- 
dered a musket and worn the gray. 

As soon as the association purchased Gov. Stephens' old 
home, they removed his body from Atlanta and buried it 
there. The imposing monument, surmounted by a marble 
statue which is a perfect likeness of the great statesman, 
stands in the center of the white gravel-walk leading from 

4S5 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

the front gate to the house. Grass-covered grounds stretch 
away on either side, and the historic walls of Liberty Hall 
form a fitting background. 

When the time arrived for unveiling the monument it 
was the greatest event that had ever happened in the pretty 
little town of C'rawfordville. It was a perfect spring day 
with a cloudless sky, and the sun shone with mellow rays 
as it only shines in the beautiful Southland. 

A large crowd of admiring Greorgians gathered around a 
platform adorned with flowers, to witness the ceremonies, 
and to honor the memory of Gov. Stephens. Many of them 
had often listened to the words of wisdom that fell from 
the lips of the living Stephens. Hon. Horace Holden, of 
Crawfordville, the master of ceremonies, read letters of re- 
gret from Gov. Xorthen and other distinguished Georgians 
who were unable to be present. The Chief-Justice, lament- 
ing his unavoidable absence, sent a noble sonnet which was 
read by Col. Patrick Walsh, of Augusta. Then this gentle- 
man completely captivated the crowd by his eloquence in 
a short address, his graphic thought being that truth was 
the bed-rock of Stephens' character. 

At the completion of his speech, he introduced Gov. 
Stephens' great-niece, IMiss IMary Corry, who, stepping to 
the front of the platform, pulled the cord; the covering 
which wTapped the statue dropped to the ground, and the 
life-like features of '^'the great Commoner" stood unveiled. 
Like a flash, tlie golden sun folded it in a loving embrace, a 
band of twenty-five pieces pealed forth "Dixie," and a 
mighty cheer rent the air. The enthusiasm was intensified 
when a man, ascending the shaft, suspended a large and 

4S6 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

beautiful wreath of Georgia flowers from the shoulders of 
the statue. 

When quiet was restored, the orator of the day, ex-Sen- 
ator Thomas M. Norwood, of Savannah, made a grand 
speech. At the left of the monument is Gov. Stephens' 
grave, which on this occasion was entirely concealed, so 
great was the quantity of fragrant flowers scattered over it. 
Looking towards it, the orator said : "Here lies a Stephens 
— when comes another ?" 

In his peroration he said : "Young men of the South, I 
address you tliis solemn message : Take Stephens as your 
model, and imitate him in his loyalty to principle and in 
his purity. If you do this, the blessings which will follow 
will be the common heritage of your children and of our 
common country." 

Thus did Georgia display her love and reverence for one 
of her greatest statesmen, and endeavor to perpetuate his 
memory. 

The deepest shadow that now rested upon the picture of 
Georgia's prosperity was the overproduction of cotton. It 
had impoverished the producer, bringing in its train low 
prices, debts and mortgages. When our State and the rest 
of the South raise their provisions at home and regulate the 
production of cotton by the world's demand for it, there 
will be absolutely no limit to their enrichment. 

When President Davis died, his body was placed in a 
vault in ISTew Orleans, until it could be decided in what 
Southern city he should be buried. Georgia begged that 
he might sleep upon her bosom; but every other State in 
the South, also, wished the honor of guarding his sacred 
dust. It was now justly decided that his remains should 

487 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

be given to Richmond, the capital of the Southern Con- 
federacy. 

This charming month of jMav, a da_y of which had so 
recently been consecrated to tlie memory of the Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Confederacy, liad not ended when the funeral 
train bearing President Davis to his final resting place 
upon Virginia's sacred soil, passed through Georgia. The 
beautifully carved casket of antique oak was borne by a car 
whose sides were almost entirely of glass, the whole exquis- 
itely decorated with flowers. When it entered our State, at 
every station on its route, fair women and sweet-faced chil- 
dren gathered to cast their floral offerings in its track. 

It had been arranged that the car should stop a few hours 
in Atlanta and the remains lie in state in the Capitol. The 
funeral train Avas met at the depot by Gov. ISForthen — repre- 
senting Georgia — all the military companies of the city, 
and several thousand people. The Confederate Veterans 
under the gallant General Clement A. Evans, had charge 
of the body while it remained in Atlanta. Tenderly the}'- 
bore the casket from the car and placed it upon a caisson 
decorated with flowers and drawn by six fine gray horses, 
each led by a member of the Atlanta Artillery_, dressed in 
gray unifonn. The procession was one of the finest ever 
seen in our State. All business Avas suspended, and low, 
sad music was the only sound that broke the stillness as a 
loving people watched its progress to the Capitol. There 
the casket was placed in the rotunda upon a bier of fragrant 
flowers, where the Hill statue looked down upon it, and the 
sunlight softly kissed it. 

As the thousands slowly passed through the Capitol to 
view the casket, numberless touching incidents occurred. 

488 



REBUILDING THE STATE. 

"A woman in widow's weeds, simply and poorly clad, as she 
passed the casket reached ont a withered hand and patted 
it as lovingly and as tenderly as if it were a thing of life : 
^My husband was with him, you know,' she said, apologeti- 
cally, to a tall member of the Guard, while wiping her eyes 
^vith a pitiful little black-bordered handkerchief: and the 
Guard, instead of saying 'Move on !' as he did to the others, 
only turned away his head and appeared to have lost his 
voice. 

"And the crowd continued to stream past, when another 
came through — a woman again : she stooped forward and 
reverently kissed the side of the casket as she murmured : 
'My brother loved him !' 

"An old negro man and his wife paused for a moment 
before it, and he asked, hat in hand, if he could place at the 
foot of the casket the bunch of flowers he earned. Permis- 
ison being given, he placed his humble offering among the 
costly exotics, and the Guard heard him say as he moved 
on: 'Young marster died for him, and he died brave!' 

"A Georgia veteran threw one arm around a Confederate 
flag that was held by a South Carolina veteran over the 
heads of the passing throng, and pressed it to his heart, 
while with the other hand he touched the casket that held 
his chieftain." 

The multitude did not cease to file through the Capitol 
until the veterans took up their precious burden and slowly 
bore it out to the caisson to carry it back to the funeral 
train. Beautiful floral designs with attached cards, on 
which were written mottoes or verses, were sent from every 
part of the State to be taken to Richmond with the casket, 
and a special guard of honor accompanied it from (Jieorgia, 

489 



GEOEGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

whose son, Gen. John B. Gordon, ^vas the marshal of the 
day in the final ceremonies at Virginia's capital. As long 
as Georgians love ci^nl liberty, so long will the name of 
Jefferson Davis be cherished in this great commonwealth ! 

* * * -Sf- * 

What Georgia is to-day, in this year of grace, 1893, she 
owes to her own courage, energy, and favorable geographi- 
cal position; a golden future awaits her, if young Geor- 
gians prove true to the principles and interests which they 
inherit. The infant colony planted by Oglethorpe in the 
wilderness, has grown to inagnificent proportions; and no 
other equal space of the earth's surface surpasses it in all 
the elements of wealth, power and greatness. Her plighted 
faith has never been tarnished, and her benign government 
is founded on Wisdom, Justice and Moderation. Great is 
Georgia ! grand in power and resources ! The engine's 
ponderous tread, through sun-clad hills and stream-kissed 
valleys, bearing away the fruits of her looms and her or- 
chards, her mineral and agricultural products, bespeaks 
her prosperity ! She is great in the glory of her achieve- 
ments, great in the historic records of her past, and sublime 
in her misfortunes! Rome had one Cornelia, Georgia had 
a thousand mothers of the Gracchi ! As the sheaves of 
Jacob's sons bowed down to the sheaf of their younger 
brother, so great commonwealths bow to Georgia, hailing 
her as the EMPIRE STATE OE THE SOUTH. 



490 



CONCLUSION. 

O, youth of Georgia, the honor of your State, her rights 
and her glory are in your hands ! See to it, that you are 
faithful to the sacred trust that in the near future will be 
committed to your charge. See to it, that Georgia suffers 
no degeneration in your characters and in your lives, and 
struggle against the too utilitarian influences of this age. 

The moral and political standard of Georgia, at present, 
is not equal to that set up and zealously guarded by our 
fathers. It is your highest obligation to restore the stand- 
ard, and to transmit unimpaired the sentiments and char- 
acteristics of ante-l)ellum Georgia. Cherish a love for 
your State and keep a deep interest in all that belongs to 
her. AMiatever lands her boundaries enclose should receive 
your love, for she spreads her broad aegis over every citi- 
zen, high or low, white or black. While you encourage the 
existence of national pride, never lose sight of our individ- 
uality as a State. A Georgian may boast of being the 
countryman of Washington, Jefferson and Lee, without 
losing the deeper recollection of being of the same State as 
Mcintosh, Jackson, Milledge and Habersham; of Cobb, 
Stephens, Toombs and Bartow. 

" The red old hills of Georgia! 

So bold and bare and bleak— 
Their memory fills my spirit 

With thoughts T cannot speak. 
They have no robe of verdure, 

Stript naked to the blast ; 
And yet of all the varied earth 

I love them best at last. 

491 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

" The red old liills of Georgia ! 

My heart is on them now ; 
Where, fed from golden streamlets, 

Oconee's waters flow ! 
Hove them with devotion, 

Thougli washed so bleak and bare- 
How can my spirit e'er forget 

The warm hearts dwelling there? 



" I love them for the living— 

The generous, kind and gay ; 
And for the dead, who slumber 

Within their breasts of clay. 
I love them for the bounty 

Which cheers the social hearth ; 
I love them for the rosy girls — 

The fairest on the earth. 



The red old hills of Georgia ! 

Where, where upon the face 
Of earth, is freedom's spirit 

More bright in any race ? 
In Switzerland and Scotland 

Each jjatriot breast it fills, 
But sure it blazes brighter yet 

Among our Georgia hills ! 



' And W'here upon their surface 

Is heart to feeling dead ? 
And wlien has needy stranger 

Gone from those hills unfed ? 
There, bravery and kindness 

For aye go hand in hand, 
Upon your washed and naked hills, 

' My own, my native land !' 



"The red old hills of Georgia! 

I never can forget ; 
Amid life's joys and sorrows, 

My heart is on thon yet ; 
And when my course is ended, 

When life her web has wove. 
Oh ! may I then, beneath those hills, 

Lie close to them I love !" 



49-: 



CONCLUSION. 

The liberty we now enjoy was won by the help of Geor- 
gians with the sword, with the pen, and with fiery words of 
eloquence in political assemblies. If there lives a Georgian 
with heart so dead that it swells not with pride when he 
hears the great names of Georgia's warriors, statesmen, and 
poets, may he go down to his grave ''unwept, unhonored 
and unsung !" 

Patriotism is a virtue that elevates character, leading men 
to right feeling and lofty sentiments. To claim kindred 
with the noble and great is in some degree to wish to be 
like them. To love our State should not be merely a matter 
of pride, or simply a sentiment, but a principle. May the 
burning words of Georgia's gifted son, Henry R. Jackson, 
find a quick response in the heart of each one of you : "I 
would that I had the power of presenting with the brevity 
which becomes an occasion like this, a worthy ideal of Geor- 
gia, the land of my love. ]3ut not as she lies upon the map, 
stretching from the mountains to the ocean, dear as she 
must be to her sons in all her varied features — in her moun- 
tains and her valleys, in her rivers and her cataracts, in her 
bare red hills, and her broad fields of rustling com and of 
cotton snowy white, in her vast primeval forests, that call 
back in softer cadence the majestic music of the melancholy 
sea; and last, but not least, in our own beautiful but modest 
Savannah, smiling sweetly through her veil of perennial, 
and yet of diversified green. 

''It is not the Georgia of the map I would invoke before 
you to-night. I would conjure up, if I could, the Georgia 
of the soul — majestic ideal of a sovereign State, at once the 
mother and the queen of a gallant people — Georgia as she 
first placed her foot upon these western shores and beckoned 
hitherward from the elder world the poor but the virtuous, 

493 



GEORGIA LAND AND PEOPLE. 

the oj)pressed but the upright, the unfortunate but the hon- 
orable; adopting for herself a sentiment far nobler than all 
the armorial bearings of 'starred and spangled courts, 
where low-born baseness wafts perfume to pride/ taking 
for her escutcheon the sentiment, Poverty and Virtue ! Toil 
and Be Honest ! 

''Next I would 2)resent you the Georgia who assumed to 
herself, in companionship with her sister colonies, the right 
to the exclusive exercise of original sovereign power, de- 
claring and acliieving her independence of the British 
Crown. 

"And next the Georgia who through the lapse of nearly 
a century was illustrated in a Union of Confederated Sov- 
ereignties by the gallantry of her soldiers on the field of 
battle, by the wisdom of her statesmen in public council, by 
the virtue and self-abnegating devotion to the discharge of 
duty of her daughters in the modest seclusion of domestic 
life. And when I speak of her sons and daughters, I do 
not mean those simply who were born upon her bosom : I 
mean also, and I mean emphatically those who, like Craw- 
ford and Berrien, and Forsyth and Wilde, came to her from 
abroad, and added the rich bloom of their genius, learning 
and eloquence, to the pure wreath with which her children 
have enriched her regal brow — the only cro"\\Ti she cares to 
wear ! I mean, also, and I mean emphaticalh', those like 
the distinguished commander of the gallant corps whose 
guests we are to-night (Capt. Wheaton, of the famous Chat- 
ham Artillery), who brought to her his Avhole heart, to 
plant it and to root it here: ever ready to take his place 
among the foremost in repelling her enemy, whether he 
came with streaming banners amid the thunders of war, or 

494 



CONCLUSION. 

steals silently upon the poisoned currents of the midnight 
air. 

'^AVhen ^the winter of our discontent' was resting heavily, 
gloomily upon us, at the holiest hour of the mysterious 
night, a vision of surpassing loveliness rose before me : 
Georgia, my native State, with manacled limbs and dishev- 
elled locks, and tears streaming from weary eyes over a 
mangled form which she clasped, though with convulsed 
and fettered arms, to her bosom. And as I gazed, the 
features of the blood-stained soldier rapidly changed. First 
I saw Bartow, and then I saw Gallic, and then I saw Cobb ; 
and there was Walker, and Willis, and Lamar; more rapid 
than light itself, successively flashed out the wan but in- 
trepid faces of her countless scores of dying heroes; and she 
pressed them close to her bosom, and closer still, and yet 
more close until, behold, slie had pressed them all right into 
her heart! 

"And quickly, as if it were in the twinkling of an eye, the 
fetters had fallen from her beautiful limbs, and the tears 
were dried upon her lovely cheeks, and the wonted fire had 
returned to her flashing eyes, and she was all of Georgia 
again: an equal among equals in a Union of Confederated 
Sovereignties. Yes ! the Georgia of Oglethorpe, the Geor- 
gia of 1776, the Georgia of 1860, is the Georgia of to-day; 
is Georgia now, with her own peculiar memories, and her 
own peculiar hopes, her own historic and heroic names, and 
her owTi loyal sons and devoted daughters; rich in re- 
sources, intrepid in soul, defiant of "wrong as ever she was. 

"God save her! God save our liege Sovereign! God 

bless Georgia, our beloved Queen! God save our only 

Queen !" 

THE END. 
495 



I 



